For Steelers rookie linebacker Devin Bush, bye week was full of 'amazing' honors

Devin Bush started the Pittsburgh Steelers bye by being named the AFC defensive player of the week and ended it with an even more impressive individual honor.

Bush had his No. 11 jersey retired last Thursday by Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla. Bush is a 2016 graduate of Flanagan, which he led to a Florida Class 8A state title as a senior.

Steelers LB Devin Bush gets his No. 11 jersey retired by his alma mater Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines. Gets the honor just a day after being named AFC defensive player of the week. Strong start to his rookie season. pic.twitter.com/4Gy8stNkYU

— Will Manso (@WillMansoWPLG) October 17, 2019

“It was exciting,” Bush said Monday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “To see everybody who came out and supported me and the legacy I left behind at my high school was amazing. I think it was a great turnout.”

Only 21 years of age, Bush found it hard to believe that he was being honored.

“It was crazy. It’s kind of surreal. It’s kind of hard to put into words,” Bush said. “But it’s almost like they’re labeling you like, ‘You’re the greatest that ever walked through this building, so nobody else could touch that number again.’ There’s a lot of things that go with it but it was definitely an honor, and I’m super happy about it.”

We loved having Devin Bush back to retire his high school jersey! Once a Falcon, always a Falcon pic.twitter.com/yqxtkdCvCw

— Flanagan SGA (@Flanagan_SGA) October 18, 2019

The Steelers traded up 10 spots to select Bush No. 10 overall in the NFL Draft this past April, and the inside linebacker has shined in his rookie season. The 5-foot-11, 234-pounder from Michigan has 52 tackles, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions in his first six games.

“For them to retire your jersey is really saying ‘you’re probably one of the best to come through this school and wear that number. We’re not going to let anyone else wear it.’ That speaks volumes." - Devin Bush Jr.

Full story: https://t.co/M5kVRQacDd pic.twitter.com/EvcL2JpamZ

— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) October 17, 2019

Bush played a starring role in the Steelers’ 24-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, as he scored his first NFL touchdown by returning a fumble recovery, had an interception and seven tackles to earn AFC defensive player of the week honors.

.@_Dbush11 taking some time during the BYE week to talk to the #Miramar #Wolverines 11U Little League Team @steelers pic.twitter.com/wezXY6D9WT

— Devin Bush II Fan Page (@DevinBushII) October 20, 2019

“It’s just more motivating,” Bush said. “As a team, we can be a lot better. When you’ve got plays like that and you’ve got playmakers around you – we’ve got a lot of playmakers on both sides of the ball – when guys are making plays and having fun, it’s hard to beat them.”

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