Former Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree has penned an emotional note to express his gratitude for Pittsburgh.
The now Tennessee Titan starts off detailing what it’s like to be on the field when “Renegade starts playing.
“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,” said Dupree.
He says, in the note published in the The Players’ Tribune, if you don’t know what “Renegade” is about then his message isn’t for you.
“This is for Steelers fans. The hard-core, ride-or-die fans. The people who know all about Renegade. The ones who have experienced those goose bumps — either in person at Heinz or on YouTube — and who know exactly what that moment can do for a team, a crowd, for an entire city, really.”
Dupree says that is some of the most fun he has ever had on a football field.
“And more often than not that sh*t works, too. They play ‘Renegade,’ people go nuts, and then big things happen for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s just how it goes. (Don’t even get me started about those Double Renegade games.) It’s legendary, man. I’ve never had more fun on a football field in my life. It’s just absolutely special.”
Dupree, a native of Georgia, admits that he didn’t know much about Pittsburgh before he was drafted, but after learning “The Steeler Way”, Came to love the team, the city and its people.
“From there, I just tried to learn as much as possible about the team and the city, and to just soak up all the history that goes along with the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
“I loved being able to dig in and learn about the real roots of the city of Pittsburgh. I tried to get a sense of the real culture of the town and the foundation of what makes Pittsburgh unique,” adds Dupree. “More than anything, it was the people I fell in love with. And I definitely felt that love in return.”
Dupree also addresses his down seasons but said there were more fans supporting him than not.
While Dupree says he is excited to join the Titans and wants to bring a Lombardi to Tennessee he is going to miss being in black and gold.
“No more “Renegade”? No more Steelers-Ravens games? I mean, that alone right there is a lot to lose out on. But it’s also gonna be super tough moving on from such an incredible group of teammates.”
He also calls Coach Mike Tomlin a leader and a “father figure.”
“I know words like that are thrown around a lot these days, but with Coach T, it’s really, really true.”
He says he’ll also miss teammates like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, but mostly it will be the fans, “Because you guys, you’re craaaaaaaazy,” said Dupree. “I’ve never seen fans as loyal and devoted as Pittsburgh Steeler fans.”
It also just so happens the Titans will come to Heinz Field this upcoming season and Dupree says it’s going to be “weird.”
“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.”
So does that mean he’ll take it easy on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger? Don’t count on it.
“But y’all know me ... you know it ain’t gonna stop me from coming after Ben with everything I’ve got. All out. Not holding anything back,” said Dupree. “That’s just how we do, Pittsburgh.”