The company organizing the George Pickens Youth Football Camp has walked back its criticism of the former Steelers receiver for canceling his participation at the event.
Headlines out of Pittsburgh on Thursday blasted the often-mercurial wideout for backing out of the camp, a commitment he reportedly said he would honor even after being traded to the Cowboys in early May. But in an email sent to the families of camp registrants earlier this week, the company was rather colorful in explaining how Pickens had “decided to walk back on his word” and went on to trash him for his “disappointing lack of accountability” and “disregard for the families and children who were excited to meet him.”
Advertisement
Now TruEdge Sports calls the tone of that email “inappropriate” and says their statement “did not accurately reflect the full scope of communication or the context surrounding the event.”
The company has revealed that it was communication only with Pickens’s representatives- and not with Pickens himself- that “led to confusion about the camp’s status and future direction.”
News of Pickens’s cancellation- breaking just a couple days before the camp was to be held- made the development seem like the receiver was flaking out at the last minute, but according to their own email, TruEdge actually learned of the change in plans sometime the previous week.
Advertisement
That did not stop the company from painting Pickens as the irresponsible party who had left everyone high and dry with next to no warning, a suggestion they now say they regret.
“Regrettably, the language used in our original message mischaracterized George’s original intent and actions. While our frustrations stemmed from the uncertainty surrounding the event, it was never our intention to publicly question George’s professionalism, integrity, or commitment to the community. We now understand that the tone and implications of our message were not only inappropriate but inconsistent with our values as an organization.”
Pickens has been working with his new Cowboys teammates as part of the official offseason program and was also spotted in social media posts just this week as being one of the offensive playmakers attending quarterback Dak Prescott’s annual retreat.
In its follow-up email to camp attendees, TruEdge acknowledges that the 24-year-old, who is entering a contract year, has been “navigating a significant career transition during this time and that his team kept open lines of communication with us.”
The camp has been rescheduled for July 20 in Pittsburgh, with other Steelers players vowing to attend in Pickens’s place.
Advertisement
That will be the day Pickens and his new Cowboys teammates report to training camp in Oxnard, Calif.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys WR George Pickens gets apology from company over youth camp
Sign-ups are underway for children wanting to play in the Spring Softball League with the Newcastle Youth Sports Association.
Area parents can sign up their children from the end of December through January 31, 2026. Those registering before December 20 can receive a discount on their $55 fee. Register at: https://playpass.com/ ok-NYSA, and then use the code SPRING26.
You can also refer a friend and get $10 off your next registration. These can be done online at https://playpass. com/ok-nysa/invite.
The Spring League is from March 1 through June 30, 2026 and plays at 3009 State Highway 130 in Newcastle. The game schedule is dependent on number of teams and how many rain outs they could have.
NYSA states it will do its best to have each age group on its own set night, but we don’t have a way to know which nights until we see how many teams sign up in each age group, and the coordination with other cities is complete.
Team signups can also be completed through the website. They are $175 each.
The NYSA states that it is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and positive environment where youth of all skill levels, from beginners to competitive players, can develop their softball skills, sportsmanship, and love for the game.
They believe in promoting community, teamwork and personal growth.
The 2025 U.S. defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the Senate on Wednesday and is headed to President Donald Trump’s desk, includes provisions that ban biological males from women’s sports at U.S. military academies.
“The NDAA also permanently prohibits men from playing on women’s sports teams at all military academies,” reads a section of a Dec. 9 administrative statement addressing the bill from Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala.
Trans athletes have been prohibited from competing in NCAA sports dating back to February 6, when the NCAA updated its gender eligibility policy to comply with Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
A federal appeals court has also recently allowed the Pentagon to temporarily enforce its ban on transgender military service members.
The latest bill is one of the last remaining items that congress will address in 2025.
Lawmakers banded together to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a roughly $901 billion package crammed to the brim with defense policy that unlocks funding for several of the Trump administration’s national defense priorities.
TOP GOP SENATOR URGES OLYMPIC OFFICIALS TO SWIFTLY ENACT ‘DECISIVE POLICY’ BANNING MEN FROM WOMEN’S SPORTS
The measure passed through the upper chamber on a 77-20 bipartisan vote. It’s a perennial legislative exercise lawmakers undertake, and one that normally comes and goes with little fuss, given that Congress typically bookends the year with it.
Other provisions, like a requirement for the Pentagon to release the unedited footage of boat strikes in the Caribbean in exchange for fully funding the Department of War’s travel fund, raised eyebrows but didn’t slow down the package’s success.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
That provision comes as lawmakers demand more transparency in the Trump administration’s strikes against alleged drug boats, and in particular, as they seek the release of the footage from a Sept. 2 double-strike on a vessel.
“This defense authorization act, although it doesn’t have as much in there for defense as a lot of us would like, is a step in the right direction,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said. “And I think the defense appropriations bill, which hopefully we’ll vote on later this week, is another example of the investment that we need to be making, to ensure that in a dangerous world, we are prepared to defend America and American interests.”
Fox News Digital’s Alex Miller contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/Gray News) – Two children in Idaho are critically injured after a tree fell on them while they were waiting for the school bus.
The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office said high winds caused rotten trees to fall on power lines before collapsing on the children.
The kids, both under the age of 10, and an older sibling were waiting outside for their bus when the tree collapsed. According to the sheriff’s office, the older sibling was not injured.
Aaron Hudson, the Twin Falls fire deputy chief, told KTVB first responders had to first get the kids out from the tree and downed power lines before they could prepare them for transport.
The sheriff’s office said one of the children was taken to the hospital by ambulance, while the other was airlifted.
According to Hudson, the weather conditions caused difficulties during transport. He said that it prevented the helicopter from going any further than the local hospital.
The family of the children has started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses.
Copyright 2025 KMVT via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Welcome to another Feel Good Friday from our friends at GoFundMe, where we celebrate the stories that remind us why youth sports matter far beyond wins and losses. Today’s spotlight features five remarkable fundraising campaigns that showcase how communities are supporting youth athletics through grassroots fundraising.
Community Rallies to Save Lōkahi Water Polo Club After Vandalism
The Lōkahi Water Polo club recently faced a heartbreaking setback when they discovered that three of their four inflatable goals had been slashed with a knife or scissors. These goals are essential for the community-based team, which consists of kids ages 6 to 18 who practice right in the ocean. While the damage felt like a targeted attack, the club is using the experience to teach its players about perseverance and grit. They are refusing to let the incident dampen their spirit of unity and Aloha.
The community quickly rallied behind the team to make sure the kids could keep playing. One local coach even lent the club a goal to keep them operational, while parents jumped in immediately to patch the damaged equipment. To help cover the costs of the expensive goals, which run about $600 each, the club turned to the community for help. A GoFundMe was set up to raise the necessary funds for replacements, and the response was more than they could have hoped for.
Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support, the GoFundMe exceeded its goal. The club now has enough money to repair the nets and replace their equipment, ensuring they can continue practicing for the USA Water Polo Jr. Olympics. Even when the world isn’t full of Aloha, the team is proving they can power through any challenge. As their motto says, “We are the storm,” and this community support has ensured the club will come out stronger than ever.
Sunset Park Shines: PS 503 Basketball Program Soars on Wave of Community Support
Sunset Park basketball players at PS 503 are preparing for their third season, determined to build on the success of their championship winning, undefeated season last year. The Title 1 school team, representing a community filled with resilience and heart, continues to show a strong commitment to pushing themselves academically and athletically. The program is helping students build something bigger than basketball as they become the pride of Sunset Park.
To ensure the athletes have the necessary tools, gear, and support to compete at a high level, the coaches launched a GoFundMe with a goal of $6,200. The community’s response was spectacular, quickly surpassing the initial target.
The generosity from the community directly impacts the young athletes and helps the school build a program that inspires the entire neighborhood. The support for the team is a testament to the belief in what these kids can achieve, a spirit that helped spark their special, undefeated season last year. The team is ready to rise to any challenge as they prepare for their upcoming season.
Tampa Bay Community Rallies to Raise $8,500 for Youth Tennis Ministry and After-School Expansion
For seven years, Serving Youth Tennis has been dedicated to building biblical character and creating pathways to college for at-risk youth throughout the Tampa Bay Area. What started as a small ministry with a few donated racquets has blossomed into a life changing program where kids grow in skill, character, and faith. The organization provides completely free tennis instruction, summer camps, and academic incentive programs, ensuring that hundreds of youth every year have access to high quality sports ministry and mentorship.
The program is currently preparing for its most ambitious chapter yet by working toward owning a dedicated facility. This space would house a full time after school program, allowing the ministry to offer daily tutoring, structured tennis training, and expanded leadership development. By having a permanent home, the organization aims to serve more children with a deeper impact, helping them feel seen and supported while they grow into the next generation of leaders and athletes.
To help turn this dream into a reality, the organization launched its 7 Days of Giving campaign. The community responded with incredible generosity, and the fundraiser successfully raised $8,500 to support the mission. “Serving Youth Tennis isn’t just a sports program — it’s a ministry,” and these funds will directly help provide the mentorship and resources necessary to build stronger families and safer communities across Tampa Bay.
Community Generosity Sends Marching Maroons to State Championship in Detroit
The Marching Maroons band recently traveled to Detroit to support the Menominee Maroons Varsity football team during their state championship finals against Schoolcraft. Following a thrilling semi-final victory, the band was determined to bring the spirit of Menominee to the big game and cheer their team on from the stands. This unforgettable journey was a major milestone for the students, providing them with the opportunity to participate in a high-stakes championship environment.
The logistics for such a trip involved significant costs for bus transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals for all band members. Although initial quotes for these travel expenses came in higher than anticipated, the organization remained committed to ensuring every student could attend. To cover the rising costs, they reopened their fundraising efforts and turned to their local community for assistance in bridging the financial gap.
Ultimately, the trip was made possible by an incredible outpouring of local support that saw nearly $10,000 raised on GoFundMe. These funds ensured that every member of the Marching Maroons could travel safely and represent their school with pride on the biggest stage in the state. The generosity of the community helped create lifelong memories for the students as they stood proudly with their team throughout the competition.
Whirlie Nation Rallies Behind State Champions for Final Goal: The Rings
The Whirlies football team is still riding high after their huge state championship win in Chapel Hill. The victory followed months of hard work that began back in January, creating memories that will stick with the players forever. Now, the coaches are looking to cap off this amazing season by getting every single player a championship ring, a well deserved reward for all their dedication.
Right now, the team is still fundraising to make those rings a reality. They’re reaching out to the entire Whirlie Nation community for a final push. Every little bit helps, whether it is $5 or $50. Folks can even sponsor a specific player’s ring with a $250 donation, or businesses can contribute $1000 or more to get some sponsor recognition.
The coaching staff is incredibly grateful for the support from the community all season long, saying they are “infinitely grateful for everything you do for us”. As they work towards this final goal, they want to assure everyone that not a single dollar will be taken for granted. It is still a work in progress, but with the community’s help, they’ll soon have those rings to celebrate their championship run.
Legal Disclaimer: YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.
About Youth Sports Business Report
Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.
Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
Youth Sports events and tournament management
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
Sports technology and data analytics innovation
Youth sports facilities development and management
Sports content creation and digital media monetization
Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.
Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.
Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow Youth Sports Business Report Founder Cameron Korab on LinkedIn
Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
Our Approach
Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
Elevate the youth sports ecosystem
Our Vision
We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing
Where can I sponsor youth sports?How do I activate in youth sports?What is the ROI of youth sports marketing?How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?
We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – We’re one step closer to the opening of one of the biggest developments in the Tucson area.
Early Wednesday, Dec. 17, the community gathered for a ceremony celebrating the final beam being placed for the Mosaic Quarter indoor iceplex.
This build and the field house for indoor sports like basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and badminton are all part of Phase I of the project.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Family, project partners, and prominent members of the community gathered to sign the Mosaic Quarter banner and celebrate the final beam being placed.
And Mosaic Quarter CEO Frank Knott praised everyone who has worked on the build.
“I’m more happy for them that they get to see the last piece of infrastructure on the building,” Knott said.
But he added it’s much more than just a building, they really wanted to make something meaningful for the community. That involved a lot of research and community outreach.
“When you’re asking people questions and just listening, it’s an incredibly easy process, especially for a guy that’s not from here originally,” Knott said.
County Supervisor Rex Scott praised the project and the Knott family’s dedication to lifting up the community.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 6, approved the leases for Mosaic Quarter, a billion-dollar sports complex.(Pima County)
“Youth sports can change lives,” Scott said. “And that has been a guiding belief and a guiding principle.”
Although the structure is in place, there’s still a lot of work to be done on the 175,000-square-foot ice plex, which is expected to be finished in early 2027.
The billion-dollar project is privately financed and uses no taxpayer money.
Scott said the potential economic impact for our region is more than $12 billion.
“One of the most significant public-private partnerships,” Scott said. “Not just in southern Arizona, but throughout the state.”
This first phase alone costs $425 million, and Knott and his family said they have stayed on budget and on time.
And Knott said there’s a reason for that.
“We plan everything out as if there’s going to be a calamity every day,” Knott said. “And so, for us, this is the reward we all get for extreme logistical planning.”
The iceplex will bring in traveling teams, host events for the University of Arizona, and offer recreational memberships for the community.
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.
