Former Kentucky football player Bud Dupree suffers a most likely season-ending torn ACL.
Former Kentucky football player Alvin “Bud” Depree was proving the naysayers wrong this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his season may have come to an end with an apparent torn ACL suffered Wednesday against Baltimore.
Late in the Steelers win Dupree rushed from the outside but fell to the Heinz Field grass slamming his fists into the field without ever getting touched by a Raven player. He will be examined on Wednesday to confirm the type of injury.
Dupree, who was drafted No. 22 in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Steelers was playing with the franchise tag this season despite many fans saying they needed to unload him during this past offseason.
As a longtime Steeler fan I rebuked that myth. Dupree has always played with fire and passion both at Kentucky and in Pittsburgh going at full throttle.
He became a fan favorite while at Kentucky lining up at both at defensive end and linebacker appearing in 47 games for the Wildcats from 2011-2014 including starting in 38.
I remember standing in a packed then Commonwealth Stadium on Oct. 4 2014 and fans won’t soon forget the game winning pick-six interception he returned for a touchdown against South Carolina for a 45-38 win. Mike Douglass tipped in into the air and Dupree snared it and ran it in from 7-yards out.
It was a blackout night game and the Wildcats were sporting their chrome helmets. Kentucky would win just one more football game the following week against the University of Louisiana Monroe and proceed to lose their final six. Toppling the Gamecocks that night in a raucous stadium was the season highlight.
He came to Kentucky as a tight end but converted over to defense. Playing under new coach Mark Stoops in 2013 he continued to flourish into a top NFL prospect despite never getting to play in a bowl game.
When he left he ranked second in Wildcat history with a career 23.5 sacks to go with 235 tackles and 38 of those for a loss. He was named All-SEC Honorable Mention his final three seasons. His senior year though fans loved when No. 2 was on the field. That year he rang up 74 tackles (12.5 tackles for loss), 7.5 sacks, two fumbles forced, and even blocked a kick.
Pittsburgh has become home for five former Kentucky players this season that includes Dupree and Benny Snell who started Wednesday for the Steelers. They had acquired former Wildcat Avery Williamson during week 8 in a trade with the New York Jets and Calvin Taylor is on the practice squad.
The quandary for the Steelers was what to do with Dupree this year with salary cap issues, but he agreed to the franchise tag.
After teaming with J.J. Watt last year that success carried over to this season where Dupree was playing at a high level on the edge.
That was until Wednesday nights game when on a non-contact play and pounding the turf in pain he seemed to quietly exit the field with the left ACL injury. For the year he has 26 tackles, 8 sacks and one fumble recovery.
Love or hate the Steelers there is no question loyal Kentucky football fans will follow their beloved players anywhere and no doubt the Wildcat faithful will be wishing Dupree a quick recovery.