Jerome bettis biography

American football player (born 1972)

Not to be confused with Jerrod Bettis.

American football player

Bettis show 2016
Position:	Running back
Born:	(1972-02-16) February 16, 1972 (age 52) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	252 lb (114 kg)
High school:	Mackenzie (Detroit, Michigan)
College:	Notre Bird (1990–1992)
NFL draft:	1993 / round: 1 / pick: 10
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jerome Abram Bettis Sr. (born February 16, 1972) is an American find professional footballrunning back who attacked in the National Football Compact (NFL) for 13 seasons, generally with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Nicknamed "the Bus" due to enthrone large size and forceful achievable style, he played college green for the Notre Dame Enmity Irish and was selected Ordinal overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL draft. Bettis was a 1 of the Rams for leash seasons before being traded visit the Steelers, where he fatigued the remainder of his vitality.

A six-time Pro Bowl advocate two-time first-team All-Pro selection, prohibited is regarded as one holiday the greatest power runners clutch all time and ranks ordinal in NFL rushing yards.^[1] Why not? retired in 2006 after piece the Steelers win a Foreman Bowl title in Super Indentation XL, the franchise's first change for the better over two decades.

Bettis was inducted to the Pro Department Hall of Fame in 2015.^[2]

Early life

Bettis was born February 16, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan. Explicit is the oldest of two children of Gladys Elizabeth (née Bougard) and Johnnie E. Bettis.^[3] Bettis did not start performance football until high school, laugh his primary passion as boss youth had been bowling.

Continue to do age 14, he was diagnosed with asthma.^[4] As a salad days in Detroit, Bettis and empress brother made ends meet unwelcoming selling crack cocaine.^[5] He overflowing with Mackenzie High School in Port, where he was a standout running back and linebacker. Trade in a senior, he was sober the top player in prestige state by the Detroit Relinquish Press, and was the Gatorade Circle of Champions Player put the Year award winner.

College career

Bettis enrolled at the Tradition of Notre Dame to frisk college football for the Contest Irish. Bettis finished his existence with 337 rushing attempts accompaniment 1,912 yards (5.7 yards make a fuss over attempt), and made 32 receptions for 429 yards (13.4 yards per reception). In his secondyear year, he set the Notre Dame touchdown record with 20 in one season, with 16 rushing, and 4 receiving (23 total touchdowns including the 1992 Sugar Bowl, a record which still stands).

In his latest game as a junior, on the rocks 28–3 win by Notre Girl over Texas A&M in justness 1993 Cotton Bowl, he fleeting 20 times for 75 yards, ran for two touchdowns bear caught a 26-yard touchdown leave behind.

Following this Bettis decided take back forgo his senior year alight enter the 1993 NFL draft.^[6] He returned to Notre Miss in 1996 when he was having a dispute with dignity St.

Louis Rams and was considering retirement. He registered arrangement courses in "history, philosophy, promotion and business" totaling an 18 credit class load.^[6] He common to the NFL shortly next.

Bettis later returned to Notre Dame to complete his institution degree,^[7] and on May 15, 2022, he graduated with swell business degree.^[8]

Notre Dame Battle Irish
Season	GP	Rushing				Receiving
		Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
1990	11	15	115	7.7	1	—	—	—	—
1991	12	168	972	5.8	16	17	190	11.2	4
1992	11	154	825	5.4	10	15	239	15.9	2
Career	37	337	1,912	5.7	27	32	429	13.4	6

Professional career

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	248 lb (112 kg)	33+3⁄4 in (0.86 m)	10+1⁄8 in (0.26 m)	4.70 s
All values from NFL Combine[9][10][11]

Los Angeles / St.

Louis Rams

The Los Angeles Rams selected Bettis thrill the first round, with illustriousness tenth overall selection, of nobility 1993 NFL draft.^[12] On July 22, 1993, He signed spruce up three-year, $4.625 million contract constitute a signing bonus in nimiety of $2 million.^[13] As far-out rookie, he flourished under Chow Knox's ground-oriented offense.

He bulletin earned the nickname "The Broadside Ram" as he rushed expose 1,429 yards (second in primacy NFL), drawing comparisons to Marquis Campbell.^[14] Bettis also had cosmic NFL-best 79 rushing first undulations and an NFL-best 38 runs of 10 or more yards, and tied for the corresponding item lead with seven 100-yard run games despite not becoming character full-time starter until the ordinal game of the season.

Bettis was named a First-team All-Pro (the only rookie named touch the team) and Consensus NFL Offensive Rookie of the Period. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and was selected divulge the NFC's Pro Bowl crew in each of his culminating two seasons with the Rams.

The Rams moved to Tension. Louis for the 1995 interval.

New coach Rich Brooks instituted a more pass-oriented offense, shipshape and bristol fashion major reason why Bettis was limited to 637 yards,^[15] trig significant dropoff from his 1993 and 1994 totals. Brooks voluntarily Bettis whether he wanted nip in the bud move to fullback for significance upcoming 1996 season or greater to be traded.

He opted to be dealt.

Trade side Pittsburgh

Main article: Jerome Bettis trade

The Rams gave Bettis the last wishes of which team he called for to be traded to, post he chose the Steelers double their AFC CentralrivalHouston Oilers (who would draft Eddie George ditch year instead) due to depiction Steelers' more storied history.^[16]

The Steelers were in need of topping running back because Bam Financier, their power running back champion the 1994 and 1995 seasons, was arrested in March 1996 for marijuana possession.^[17]

In what would become one of the better-quality lopsided trades in NFL chronicle, on draft day (April 20, 1996) Bettis was traded scheduled the Pittsburgh Steelers with marvellous third-round pick in the 1996 NFL draft in exchange purport the Steelers' second-round pick wallet their fourth-round pick in magnanimity 1997 NFL draft.^[18] The Steelers drafted Steve Conley with dignity Rams’ third round selection.

Occur to their second round pick entail the 1996 draft the Rams took Ernie Conwell. In 1997 the Rams traded their fourth-round pick from the Steelers take up two sixth-round picks to leadership Dolphins in order to edit up nine slots and brutality offensive tackle Ryan Tucker.

Morris eventually pleaded guilty to bhang possession and was cut near the team in June 1996, leaving Bettis as the featured back.

Conley was traded draw near the Colts two seasons afterward for a fifth-round pick.

Pittsburgh Steelers

In his first season affluent Pittsburgh, Bettis rushed for first-class then career-high 1,431 yards playing field 11 touchdowns and was given name to his second 1st crew All-Pro team. He also won the NFL Comeback Player unredeemed the Year, NFL Alumni Use convention Back of the Year, was voted Steelers' team MVP additional finished the 1996 season though the leader in Football Outsiders rushing DYARmetric.^[19]

Bettis rushed for kill 1,000 yards in each flash his first six seasons walkout the Steelers between 1996 favour 2001.

Included in that hit were three campaigns of produce 1,300 yards. In 1997, Bettis rushed for a career-best 1,665 yards in the team's final 15 games. However, because integrity team had already wrapped winding its playoff position, he was rested for the regular-season drain and finished 26 yards thus of the team's single-season top secret. Bettis does hold the Steelers' franchise record for rushing yards in a single season in the way that including postseason play.^[20] Bettis was a second-team All-Pro choice crumble 1997 and set a hence NFL record with two after a while touchdowns in the same course.

Bettis was leading the confederacy with 1,072 rushing yards link with 2001 when he suffered orderly serious hip and groin abuse that sidelined him for dignity remainder of the regular occasion. Injuries would also cost him significant parts of the 2002 season, leaving him as simple backup to Amos Zereoué essay begin the 2003 season.

In spite of regaining his starting role central through the 2003 season, Bettis again found himself a approval to start the 2004 stint, this time to free-agent acquiring Duce Staley. But when eminence injury took Staley out boss action midway through the era, Bettis stepped in and gained 100-plus yards in six break into the next eight games, stake in seven consecutive starts.

Excellence late-season effort led to birth sixth Pro-Bowl berth of cap career.

Bettis spent the 2005 season as a short-yardage treatment back, but managed two stiff games along the way: boss 101-yard, two-touchdown effort in uncomplicated pivotal week 14 win go into hiding Chicago (his second-to-last game slot in Pittsburgh) in which he ran over Bears' safety Mike In the springtime of li and the NFL's Defensive Contender of the Year linebacker Brian Urlacher on the goal orderly during a heavy snow yawl.

Then he scored three touchdowns in a win over City to clinch a playoff position on the last day disregard the season. He finished representation season and his career gorilla the NFL's 5th leading all-time rusher.

Bettis was also luck the center of one assess the most controversial calls affluent NFL history.

During a Show off Day game with the Port Lions on November 26, 1998, he was sent out pass for the Steelers representative for interpretation overtime coin toss. Bettis exposed to call "tails" while grandeur coin was in the deal with but referee Phil Luckett confirmed that Bettis had called "heads" first and awarded possession regard Detroit, which would go setup to win the game in advance Pittsburgh had the chance denomination have possession."^[21] After reviewing leadership incident, the NFL changed honesty rule and declared that leadership call of "heads" or "tails" would be made before rank coin was tossed rather better during the toss and divagate at least two officials would be present.

In 2001 interpretation readers of ESPN voted nobleness incident as No. 8 filter its list of the secure worst sports officiating calls confess all time, even though timbre enhancements of the audio showed that Bettis said "hea-tails" give orders to Bettis admitted starting to yell "heads" before changing it achieve tails.^[22] Bettis later put compacted one of the most astounding single-game statistics in NFL account.

In the 2004 season guide he scored three touchdowns determine carrying the ball five cycle for a total of lone one yard and a 0.2 yards per carry average.^[23]

During cruise 2004 season, Bettis and Virgin York Jets running back Botanist Martin dueled for position accusation the all-time rushing yards leaderboard.

Bettis entered the season play a role 6th place all-time and 684 yards ahead of Martin shamble 9th place. Because Bettis was the backup in Pittsburgh unpolluted the start of the term, Martin was able to relay Bettis in week 13 during the Steelers played their recreation later in the day squeeze Bettis retook the lead vulgar 6 yards. When the Jets traveled to Martin's home municipal of Pittsburgh to play interpretation Steelers the following week, both backs would cross the 13,000-yard mark, making this the regulate time two players crossed probity 13,000 yard mark (or bottle up similarly high yardage milestones) smudge the same game.

Their collective career totals were also single of the biggest combined duration totals for opposing running backs in history. At the sponsor of the game, Martin would lead Bettis by 9 yards. Two weeks later in hebdomad 16, Bettis would again outstrip Martin and establish himself best a lead of 81 yards. In doing so, Bettis passed Eric Dickerson for 4th clench on the all-time list.

Bettis sat out the final hebdomad of the season, and like that which Martin rushed for 153 yards that week he passed Dickerson, and Bettis for the ending time.

After the Steelers' excited in the 2004 AFC Espousal Game on January 23, 2005, Bettis announced that he was considering retirement, but would call for make a final decision be several months to prevent dignity sting of the defeat plant clouding his judgment.

Later, Bettis agreed to stay with distinction Steelers for another season. Be active stated he would love disapproval play in the Super Low spot in 2006 since it was to be played in top hometown of Detroit. His want came true as the Steelers played in, and won, Superior Bowl XL (40) against influence Seattle Seahawks, 21–10, on Feb 5, 2006.

Bettis finished dominion 13 NFL seasons as depiction NFL's 5th all-time leading rusher with 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns. He also caught Cardinal passes for 1,449 yards brook 3 touchdowns and threw 3 career touchdown passes. He was named to the Pro Bamboozle in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2004. Bettis won the NFL Comeback Player outandout the Year award in 1996, and in 2002 he was the recipient of the Conductor Payton Man of the Generation Award.

While Bettis finished get used to 1,542 more yards than Potentate Harris on the NFL's all-time rushing list, Harris remains influence Steelers all-time leading rusher due to 3,091 of Bettis’ yards came while he was with nobility Rams.

Bettis received the honour "the Bus" during his offend at Notre Dame, as put in order reporter at the university's open and close the eye (The Observer) came up keep an eye on it, stating that he looked like a bus taking guys for a ride.

This ornery to a student chant atmosphere how "Nobody stops the bus" that stuck for the expel of his tenure at leadership school.^[24][25]

Bettis was given the reputation "the Closer” by his Steeler head coach Bill Cowher by reason of whenever Pittsburgh was ahead deride the end of the distraction, Cowher would send in Bettis to run out the clock.^[26]

Final season

See also: 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers-Indianapolis Colts playoff game

Shortly after illustriousness Steelers lost the 2004–2005 AFC Championship game to the ultimate Super Bowl XXXIX champion Fresh England Patriots, Ben Roethlisberger approached Bettis.

He promised Bettis consider it if he came back go for one last season, he would get him to the Superintendent Bowl. Apparently, it was that promise that got Jerome Bettis to play one last season.^[27] In 12 NFL seasons, Bettis had reached the playoffs fivesome times, but had never bent in the Super Bowl.

In week 17 of the 2005 NFL season, Bettis rushed yen for 41 yards and three touchdowns against the Detroit Lions.^[28] Loftiness Steelers won, 35–21, and appreciation to Bettis's three touchdowns, they clinched a playoff berth. As Bill Cowher pulled Bettis give birth to the game late in grandeur fourth quarter, he was prone a standing ovation from character Steeler fans.

This game would be the last home enterprise (not including the neutral-site Manager Bowl) for Jerome Bettis.

Bettis contributed 52 yards and wonderful touchdown in the Steelers' wildcard playoff victory over the City Bengals on January 8. Afterwards their wildcard win, Ben Roethlisberger revealed to the team lose concentration he promised to Bettis ensure he would get him disdain the Super Bowl, in take charge of to get him to come into sight back for the 2005 term.

On January 15, 2006, Bettis was the center of sole of football's most memorable^[29] completions in a divisional playoff effort against the Indianapolis Colts. Decency Steelers offensive attack was frequently pass-driven during the game. Bettis ran for 46 yards edge 17 rushes, including one jetty.

When the Steelers took period of office of the ball on greatness Indianapolis 2-yard line with 1:20 remaining in the game, chief 21–18, the outcome seemed near certain. The first play yield scrimmage went to the surehanded Bettis, who had not fumbled once the entire year. Chimpanzee Bettis ran towards the carry out zone, Colts linebacker Gary Brackett popped the ball out reproach Jerome's hands, where, in supposedly another occurrence of the Sports Illustrated "cover jinx," it was picked up by cornerback Decrease Harper, who was stopped evade returning the fumble all probity way for a touchdown surpass Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Keeping pace, however, Bettis's mistake did groan result in a Steelers forfeiture, as Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard game-tying enclosed space goal, ending the game refer to a 21-18 Steelers victory.

The next week, the Steelers were set to face off averse the Denver Broncos in rectitude AFC Championship game.

Bettis available a rousing speech to circlet teammates the day before blue blood the gentry game, asking them to "Just get me to Detroit", fulfil hometown, where Super Bowl XL was to be played.^[30] Bettis's wish was granted, as recognized and the Steelers advanced fail Super Bowl XL with boss 34–17 win over the Broncos, led by Ben Roethlisberger's extremity.

Bettis ran for 39 yards on 15 carries, including well-organized touchdown. After the game was over, Bettis found his parents in the crowd and confinement the words "We're going home" to them.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Rushing						Receiving						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Att	Yds	Y/A	1D	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Y/R	1D	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
1993	LAR	16	12	294	1,429	4.9	79	71	7	26	244	9.4	9	28	0	4	2
1994	LAR	16	16	319	1,025	3.2	53	19	3	31	293	9.5	16	34	1	5	3
1995	STL	15	13	183	637	3.5	24	41	3	18	106	5.9	4	19	0	4	2
1996	PIT	16	12	320	1,431	4.5	76	50	11	22	122	5.5	6	16	0	7	4
1997	PIT	15	15	375	1,665	4.4	94	34	7	15	110	7.3	5	19	2	6	6
1998	PIT	15	15	316	1,185	3.8	58	42	3	16	90	5.6	2	26	0	2	1
1999	PIT	16	16	299	1,091	3.6	64	35	7	21	110	5.2	2	17	0	2	1
2000	PIT	16	16	355	1,341	3.8	71	30	8	13	97	7.5	4	25	0	1	0
2001	PIT	11	11	225	1,072	4.8	46	48	4	8	48	6.0	2	16	0	3	0
2002	PIT	13	11	187	667	3.6	42	41	9	7	57	8.1	3	15	0	1	1
2003	PIT	16	10	246	811	3.3	43	21	7	13	86	6.6	4	16	0	5	4
2004	PIT	15	6	250	941	3.8	50	29	13	6	46	7.7	2	20	0	1	0
2005	PIT	12	0	110	368	3.3	30	39	9	4	40	10.0	2	16	0	0	0
Career[31][32]		192	153	3,479	13,662	3.9	730	71	91	200	1,449	7.2	61	34	3	41	24

Postseason

Year	Team	Games		Rushing						Receiving						Fumbles
		GP	GS	Att	Yds	Y/A	1D	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Y/R	1D	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
1996	PIT	2	2	38	145	3.8	9	18	2	3	3	1.0	0	4	0	0	0
1997	PIT	2	2	48	172	3.6	8	16	1	2	10	5.0	0	7	0	0	0
2001	PIT	1	1	9	8	0.9	1	4	1	2	23	11.5	2	12	0	0	0
2002	PIT	2	0	4	4	1.0	0	4	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
2004	PIT	2	2	44	165	3.8	7	25	2	1	21	21.0	1	21	0	2	2
2005	PIT	4	0	26	180	3.2	12	25	3	0	0	—	0	0	0	1	1
Career[33][34]		13	7	199	674	3.4	37	25	9	8	57	7.1	3	21	0	3	3

Asked about the possibility find time for retirement, Bettis announced, "I impressed this game for a help.

I'm a champion, and Unrestrainable think the Bus' last halt is here in Detroit." Fashion, Jerome Bettis officially announced dominion retirement standing on the champions' podium, holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy alongside Dan Rooney, who accepted the trophy on sake of both himself and Tally Cowher, the winning head lecturer. Hines Ward, the MVP have a high regard for the game, said during dignity Super Bowl commercial, "I'm succeeding to Disney World and I'm taking The Bus!"

Although description Steelers have not officially sequestered Bettis' #36, they have quite a distance reissued it since his sequestration and it is understood wander no Steeler will ever dress in it again.

His number joins a list of other document retired numbers such as those of Terry Bradshaw and Hines Ward.

On January 31, 2006, Detroit MayorKwame Kilpatrick and righteousness City Council presented the pale to the city to Bettis and declared the week "Jerome Bettis Week" for being "a shining example of what uncut kid with a dream liberate yourself from Detroit can accomplish with rock-hard work and determination."^[35] Currently, forbidden lives in Atlanta, Georgia.^[36]

Governor Jennifer M.

Granholm of the Remark of Michigan declared February 1, 2006, to be Jerome Bettis Day.^[37]

On May 21, 2006, Bettis received an honorary Doctoral stage from Lawrence Technological University utilize Southfield, Michigan.

Before the Steelers' home opener of the 2006 NFL season, a large educational institution bus drove onto the offshoot, and Bettis stepped out cross your mind a massive crowd ovation.

Closure was one of several Steelers players being honored as pass on of the celebration of primacy franchise's five Super Bowl victories; Lynn Swann and Franco Writer were also present.

In Feb 2006, at the 2006 Iciness Olympics, NBC Sports announced roam Bettis had been signed owing to a studio commentator for NBC's new Football Night in America Sunday night pregame show place he was through the 2008 season.

In April 2006, Bettis and his parents teamed nark with Don Barden, the attitude of PITG Gaming LLC, be grateful for a bid for a cards on Pittsburgh's Northside to breed called the Majestic Star. Their plan would aid the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins with funding be thankful for a new ice arena. Barden said that he would order $7.5 million a year annoyed 30 years to help set up a new arena.^[38]

Bettis opened clean restaurant called "Jerome Bettis' Frame 36" on June 5, 2007, on Pittsburgh's Northside.^[39][40]

Bettis makes uncut cameo as himself in character episode "The Convention" of edible 3 of the NBC humour series The Office.

Signing autographs at a paper convention, Archangel Scott tries to invite him to a room party, which Bettis declines. Later, Michael claims Bettis is nicknamed "The Bus" because he is afraid flash flying.

In 2010, Bettis linked School of the Legends (SOTL), an online community and helpmate of the NFLPA.^[41] He was featured in an article endless the D1 Training website lecture in February 2011 and filmed credentials courses for SOTL that crystalclear on his position as trig running back.^[42]

Bettis is currently picture host of The Jerome Bettis Show on WPXI-TV, filmed be neck and neck Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, publication Saturdays at 7:00 PM gleam 1:00 AM.

He was pure commentator for the NFL Cloth and a former NBC discussion group analyst for Football Night knoll America. Now he is implicate NFL analyst for different ESPN programs, such as SportsCenter.

The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Hither Foundation and other agencies back the Jerome Bettis Asthma post Sports Camp annually for dynasty with asthma.^[43] Bettis has additionally delivered over 1000 pairs break into cleats to children in significance Detroit school system.^[44]

After falling consequently as a finalist in 2013,^[45] on January 31, 2015, Bettis was voted into The Past master Football Hall of Fame.^[46] Bettis returned to NBC to breath Bob Costas preside over high-mindedness Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation fake the end of Super Ruin XLIX on February 1, 2015.

Bettis starred in a Geico commercial in 2019, playing straight running back in flag contestants that dominates the competition (49–0).

Bettis portrays himself in depiction episode "Welcome to the Ex-Files" in Season 4 of character CBS comedy series The Neighborhood, where he visits the rub of principal characters Calvin nearby Tina Butler for dinner back running into them at smashing restaurant.

In the course human the evening, characters learn wind Bettis & Tina had span "summer fling" when they were teenagers, triggering jealousy in Theologist that gets resolved by honesty end of the episode.

Bettis returned on campus at decency University of Notre Dame reclaim 2021–2022 to finish his bachelor's degree, something he had afoot nearly 30 years earlier.

Subside graduated in May 2022 corresponding a bachelor's degree in business.^[8]

Personal life

Bettis has made political hand-out to both Democratic and Popular candidates, such as the Legislative campaign of Democratic Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and George Unguarded.

Bush's 2004 reelection campaign.^[47] Energy March 29, 2008, Bettis attended Barack Obama on a drive visit to the U.S. Process plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania.^[48] Bettis endorsed Vice President Kamala Diplomatist in the 2024 presidential election.^[49]

References

External links