Bud Dupree Says ‘Once They Accept You in (Pittsburgh), They Accept You Forever’

Former Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree will be playing for a new team and city starting this season, but that has not changed his fondness for Pittsburgh.

Joining Good Morning Football Wednesday, Dupree shared a touching final goodbye to the city in which he grew into a Pro Bowler.

“Once they accept you in that city they accept you forever,” he said. “There’s nothing fake.”

.@Titans LB Bud Dupree on @gmfb @nflnetwork on saying good-bye to Pittsburgh: "Once they accept you in that city they accept you forever. There's nothing fake."

— Will Selva (@WillSelvaTV) June 30, 2021

Dupree also commented on his recovery from the torn ACL that ended his final season in Pittsburgh prematurely.

He has spoken very positively and optimistically about his progress in the past, but said Wednesday that rehabbing his knee has been a challenge to say the least.

“Just training hard every day,” Dupree said. “ACL rehab has been one of the hardest thing I’ve dealt with so far. It’s up to the coaches at the end of the day.”

.@Titans LB Bud Dupree on @gmfb @nflnetwork on his recovery from a knee injury and being ready game one: "Just training hard every day. ACL rehab has been one of the hardest thing I've dealt with so far. It's up to the coaches at the end of the day."

— Will Selva (@WillSelvaTV) June 30, 2021

Selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Kentucky, Dupree totaled 231 tackles, 39.5 sacks, 54 tackles-for-loss, eight forced fumbles and a pick six over his six-year Steeler career.