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Former Steelers OLB Bud Dupree thanks teammates, coaches, fans in farewell article

Joe Rutter
| Wednesday, March 24, 2021 3:09 p.m.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Bills Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at Heinz Field.

Bud Dupree wanted to say goodbye to Pittsburgh and Steelers fans after spending six seasons wearing the black and gold.

It was a farewell that didn’t quite fit into 280 Twitter characters.

One week after joining the Tennessee Titans in free agency, the 28-year-old outside linebacker penned a lengthy goodbye in The Players’ Tribune. He wrote of his appreciation for his teammates, coach Mike Tomlin and Steeler Nation.

Judging from the tone of the article, what Dupree is going to miss most about his time with the Steelers is hearing a certain Styx song play in the fourth quarter during games at Heinz Field.

Dupree wrote this description:

“It always happens at a big moment — you need a turnover, or a big sack, whatever it may be. You look up and see that screen go dark, and….

“The goose bumps start right then.

“Your body starts tingling. Just from that blank screen. That’s literally all it takes. Because your body … it knows what that black scoreboard means. It knows what’s coming.

“You look at whoever’s next to you, and they look at you, and both of you just have this look like … Oh, it’s onnnnn now!

“Then, a few seconds later … I mean, I don’t even know how to describe it really. It’s just….

“One word.

“Renegade.”

My last message to #steelernation and my old coaches and bros on the team, Nashville the next stop‼️@PlayersTribune https://t.co/2S63lO4GIu

— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) March 24, 2021

The song that the scoreboard crew has played to ignite the crowd since a 2002 postseason game against Cleveland also is designed to fire up the Steelers defense, and it’s effect found its way to Dupree. He had 21.5 of his 39 career sacks at Heinz Field and came to relish those fourth-quarter moments.

“There’s so much I’m going to miss about this amazing city, and the people of Pittsburgh, but make no mistake about it: That experience, that Renegade Moment, that’s right up there,” Dupree wrote.

“It’s Pittsburgh through and through. I love everything about it.”

Dupree wrote about the history of the franchise and being taught the “Steeler Way” by teammates such as Cameron Heyward, William Gay, James Harrison and position coach Joey Porter. He thanked his teammates, including fellow pass rusher T.J. Watt.

Dupree said he will miss the games against the Baltimore Ravens, the friendships he built over six seasons with the Steelers and his relationship with his head coach. Dupree said Tomlin never forgot the names of Dupree’s family members after meeting them at Kentucky’s pro day after the linebacker’s final college season.

“He’s just as solid as they come — honest, transparent, accountable, tells it like it is, and never lies about anything. How can I not miss a guy like that?”

Now that he is with a new organization, Dupree can’t wait for a reunion at Heinz Field. It will come sometime in 2021 when the Steelers are scheduled to host the Titans.

“And I’m not gonna lie, it’s definitely going to be weird to see that scoreboard go black at some point late in the game and to hear that heartbeat and that scream and … not be wearing black and gold,” Dupree wrote.

“That’s definitely gonna be strange. It’ll be super weird.”


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