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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Curt Popejoy

Does JuJu Smith-Schuster deserve criticism from fans and the media?

2019 has been a forgettable one for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. In what was supposed to be the year he took over at the team’s No. 1 wide receiver and put himself into the conversation for best receiver in the league, nothing has gone according to plan.

Through 13 games, Smith-Schuster only has 38 receptions and is missing his fourth straight game of the season this week with a knee injury.

But Smith-Schuster is more than a football player. He’s a brand. His involvement with sponsorships is extensive. He’s also a very young man. And he lives the life of a kid with a lot of money and fame. And when you are injured and underperforming, the other side of his life tends to raise the ire of some Steelers fans.

Smith-Schuster addressed his critics on Friday after practice and defended his absence from the sidelines last week as well as his personal like choices during the season. We aren’t here to judge. We’ll let you do that with this poll.

Cast your vote and tell us if the heat Smith-Schuster is taking is deserved.

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