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During the previous year's predraft process, quarterback Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers received a lot of flak for his hands. Although he had one of the best senior seasons in college football, his hand measurements and the need to wear gloves on both hands during games raised questions.
During his undergraduate days at Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett wore a glove on his right (throwing) hand and another on his other hand each time he suited up. Pickett was not the first NFL QB to wear gloves on both hands, but it's pretty unusual for signal-callers to wear gloves on both hands.
Many believed Pickett took to wearing gloves so he could hold the ball more effectively because of his smaller-than-average hands, but he insists it's only for convenience.
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"I tried it once in my sophomore year, but I really stuck with it after the game versus North Carolina," Pickett said on "The Pat McAfee Show" a few months ago. "I've been wearing them ever since. I kind of like it, and I just feel more at ease with it."
Pickett's decision to continue using two gloves seems logical, given his victory that evening over North Carolina. He completed a 74-yard touchdown throw as part of his 359 passing yards. In guiding the University of Pittsburgh to a 34-27 victory, Pickett also rushed for two touchdowns.
Pickett passed for 4,319 yards and 43 TDs with just seven interceptions during his senior year. In 2020, Pitt had a 6-5 record. Pickett took the team and guided them to an 11-2 record in games he started (11-3 overall). He did not play in the Peach Bowl, a 31-21 loss to Michigan State, in order to prepare for the draft.
Kenny Pickett’s timeline
Kenny Pickett starred at the University of Pittsburgh, where he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and received the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as a senior. In the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the 20th pick.
Before the draft, several journalists closely examined Pickett's hands, measured at 8.5 inches, fearing they might make him more likely to fumble the ball.
Pickett tossed a game-winning touchdown pass in two consecutive games in the last minute of regulation to become the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to do so.
