The early free agency period saw several additions to the defense for Seattle, including the acquisition of former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. Here are four things to know about the fifth-year Michigan alum.
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Like Father Like Son
Despite approaching five years in the league, Bush is still trying to catch up to his dad - Devin Sr., who played eight years in the NFL. A former safety, the Florida State alum was a first round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1995 NFL Draft. After suffering a loss in Super Bowl XXXIII to the Denver Broncos, Bush got a ring a year later, as a member of the St. Louis Rams (Super Bowl XXXIV).
As a parent of a young athlete, Bush Sr. was initially reluctant to coach his son. But after persuasion from a friend, he’d go on to coach his namesake from flag football through college. In 2017, the University of Michigan brought Bush in as a defensive analyst - a year after Devin Jr. committed to the Wolverines. In 2020, Bush Sr. was pried away from the program to become director of football recruiting for the University of Mississippi.
Taking a leap to the professional ranks, Bush Sr. is currently defensive backs coach of the Orlando Guardians of the XFL.
Deja Bush: Family Genes
While Devin bucked the family trend by committing to the University of Michigan, his sister Deja followed his father's footsteps. The softball star was a member of the Seminoles’ 2018 National Championship squad, making the ACC Academic Honor Roll three-consecutive times between 2017-2019.
The father-daughter combo were both part of the Seminoles' first national championship in their respective sports.
Better With Time
Over Bush's four seasons with the Steelers, he accumulated 286 combined tackles, 4 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles and 13 tackles for loss. The versatile linebacker has played all over the front-seven since his college days, getting to the ball by any means. But Bush hasn't always been under-control in pursuit. In 2020, Bush missed a career-high 12.9 percent of his tackle attempts. But over the last two seasons, he's shown vast improvement - dropping to 6.8 percent in 2021 and 3.5 percent in 2022. Pro Football Focus awarded Bush a career-best 85.7 tackle grade this season, as he finished with 81 combined tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback hits.
He's Got The Holiday Spirit
Bringing in players in free agency for Seattle is just as much about being a fit on the field as it is off. Community outreach is a major focal point of the organization, and Bush's work in the communities of Pittsburgh will make him a fan favorite. In 2019, Bush treated youth of the Steel City Squash program helping underserved communities to a holiday shopping spree at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Each child was given $125 to purchase anything they needed or desired, as they got to spend time with the rising linebacker.
"It feels good to give back to the youth and show face," Bush said. "I'm happy to be here and be part of these kids' experience."
Take a look at photos of linebacker Devin Bush from his first four seasons in the NFL. Bush signed with the Seahawks as a free agent on March 17, 2023. Read more.
University of Michigan linebacker Devin Bush prepares to throw out the first pitch before the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
University of Michigan linebacker Devin Bush throws out the first pitch before the baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush celebrates backstage after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Bush in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice in the NFL Draft Devin Bush, right, answers questions beside team president Art Rooney II, left, during a football news conference, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers' first round draft choice in the 2019 NFL football draft, Devin Bush wears blue suede shoes during a news conference, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice in the NFL Draft Devin Bush answers questions during a football news conference, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during NFL football practice, Friday, May 10, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football training camp practice in Latrobe, Pa., Friday, July 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football training camp practice in Latrobe, Pa., Sunday, July 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55), left, and running back Jaylen Samuels (38) battle during an NFL football training camp practice in Latrobe, Pa., Sunday, July 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) lines up during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush arrives for an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (20) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and Terrell Edmunds (34) during an NFL football game , Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush, right, and Seattle Seahawks defensive back Lano Hill, left, swap game jerseys after an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The Seahawks won 28-26. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) tackles San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush celebrates a touchdown after picking up a backward pass by Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush celebrates his touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs the ball for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Carson, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 in Carson, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) plays air-guitar as he celebrates against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) tries to get past Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) on a scramble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) Cele braves after making a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) leads the defensive huddle before an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) on the sideline against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) celebrates after recovering a fumble during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) dances during a timeout during an NFL football game, Monday, November 8, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs onto the field during introductions before an NFL football game, Sunday, November 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, November 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) tackles Detroit Lions running back Godwin Igwebuike (35) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) plays in an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday Nov. 21, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers defeated the Steelers 41-37. (John McGillen via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs onto the field before an NFL football game, Sunday, December 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Tennessee Titans running back D'Onta Foreman (7) runs the ball towards Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) heads to the locker room following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. The Steelers won 19-13. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) goes through drills during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush takes part in drills during practice at their NFL football training camp facility in Latrobe, Pa., Wednesday, July 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) talks with Devin Bush as they walk to a drill during NFL football training camp in Latrobe, Pa., Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs after the catch as he is pursued by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Steelers defeat the Jaguars 16-15. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush watches from the sideline during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sep. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) reacts during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) is announced before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) passes the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) makes a hit during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
