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The NFL is fining Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree $21,056 for his late hit on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in a 28-26 Week 2 loss for Pittsburgh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Fine: #Steelers LB Bud Dupree was fined $21,056 for a hit on a quarterback, his uncalled shot to #Seahawks QB Russell Wilson’s head. Dupree apologized after the hit.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2019
In an era in which some get fined for merely pushing a quarterback out of bounds, Dupree's fine from the NFL is justifiable. He very obviously hit Wilson high after he passed the ball. Oddly enough, he wasn't flagged for the play—because early-season officiating is just about the most inconsistent thing in sports.
#Steelers LB Bud Dupree was fined $21,056 for this hit on #Seahawks Russell Wilson, per @RapSheetpic.twitter.com/igRtAOv5uC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 21, 2019
Dupree apologized for his hit on Wilson, saying, “I really didn't try to do an illegal or dirty hit on him,” via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, it was clearly a late-hit, one that should've warranted a yellow flag. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reaffirmed that, as he said during earlier in the week that the NFL told him Dupree should've earned a flag for the hit.
“Yes, it was illegal…,” said Carroll, via Blake Bell of The New Tribune. “No, no, I didn’t say that right. That’s how they assessed. It wasn’t an illegal hit on the field. They didn’t call it, so it wasn’t. But they assessed it that if they’d did it again, they would have thought that they should have called it.”
Carrol didn't express any animosity towards Dupree for his hit on Wilson. He said, “that was a heck of a hit,” and after learning of his apology said, “that’s a nice gesture by him.” Nonetheless, the NFL ultimately did penalize the Steeler defender.
