Titans prep to play at Steelers by playing ‘Renegade’ and ‘Black and Yellow’ at practice
With a trip to the ‘Burgh soon scheduled, the Tennessee Titans are preparing for what they might encounter at Heinz Field.
At least, what they might hear there.
During Thursday’s practice, among the music the Titans played was “Renegade” and “Black and Yellow,” according to a post to the verified Twitter account for a writer for the team’s official website.
“Renegade” has been an anthem played during the fourth quarter of most Steelers home games for almost two decades. “Black and Yellow” also is often heard at Heinz Field, both because of its title and that its artist, Wiz Khalifa, is from Pittsburgh.
It’s @steelers week, so of course the @Titans played “Renegade” and “Black and Yellow” at practice.
They’ll hear it Sunday at @heinzfield. pic.twitter.com/FPYrWlODoS
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 16, 2021
“Renegade” is played before the defense takes the field, usually once per game.
Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel played linebacker for the Steelers from 1997-2000, but that was before the “Renegade” phenomenon. Other teams have been known to play the song during practice the week before playing at the Steelers, too.
“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,” Bud Dupree wrote in @PlayersTribune.#Steelers https://t.co/YOgtsVHlL1
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) March 24, 2021
It’s common for college teams to practice while speakers blare the fight song of an upcoming opponent the week prior to a road game.
Perhaps the “Renegade” suggestion came from Titans linebacker Bud Dupree, who spent six seasons with the Steelers before leaving as a free agent in March. During a farewell article he wrote for “The Players Tribune,” Dupree spoke longingly of the “Renegade” tradition.
“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.”
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.