Jerome Abram Bettis Sr., born February 16, 1972, is a former NFL running back who played 13 seasons, mainly with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed “the Bus” for his size and power, he played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 1993.
After three seasons, he was traded to the Steelers, earning six Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections. He won Super Bowl XL in Detroit and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Jerome Bettis Net Worth
Jerome Bettis has a net worth of $14 million. Drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL Draft, he signed a three-year, $4.625 million contract. As a rookie, he earned the nickname “The Battering Ram”, rushing for 1,429 yards, second only to Emmitt Smith, and was named First-team All-Pro and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Bettis made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons. After the Rams moved to St. Louis, a scheme change reduced his role, prompting his 1996 trade request.
Early life
Jerome Bettis was born February 16, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of three children of Gladys Elizabeth and Johnnie E. Bettis. He began playing football in high school, though his early passion was bowling. At age 14, he was diagnosed with asthma.
Growing up in Detroit, he and his brother sold crack cocaine to survive. Bettis attended Mackenzie High School, excelling as a running back and linebacker. As a senior, he was named Michigan’s top player by the Detroit Free Press and won the Gatorade Circle of Champions award.
Career
Jerome Bettis enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, playing for the Fighting Irish. He rushed for 1,912 yards, scored 20 touchdowns as a sophomore (a school record), and ended with 23 total touchdowns including the 1992 Sugar Bowl.
In the 1993 Cotton Bowl, he had 75 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and a 26-yard receiving touchdown. Bettis entered the 1993 NFL Draft, later returned in 1996 during a Rams dispute, and finally graduated on May 15, 2022, with a business degree from Notre Dame.
Personal life
Jerome Bettis has made political donations to both Democratic and Republican candidates, including Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign. On March 29, 2008, Bettis joined Barack Obama during a campaign visit to the U.S. Steel plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
He later endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Bettis’s bipartisan political involvement reflects his broad engagement in national affairs beyond his NFL career and public image as a Pittsburgh Steelers legend.
Is Jerome Bettis in the Hall of Fame?
Jerome Bettis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. His induction celebrates a career highlighted by over 13,000 rushing yards, 91 touchdowns, and numerous memorable moments that have solidified his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Conclusion
Jerome Bettis’s journey from a young talent in Detroit to an NFL legend and Hall of Famer is a story of determination, hard work, and unmatched skill on the football field. Even in retirement, Bettis continues to inspire future generations of athletes with his legacy as “The Bus” – a symbol of strength, perseverance, and excellence in the sport of football.
FAQs about Jerome Bettis
- What teams did Jerome Bettis play for in the NFL?
- Jerome Bettis played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers during his NFL career.
- How many rushing yards did Jerome Bettis accumulate in his career?
- Jerome Bettis ended his career with 13,662 rushing yards.
- Did Jerome Bettis win any Super Bowls?
- Yes, Jerome Bettis won Super Bowl XL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- How many times was Jerome Bettis selected for the Pro Bowl?
- Jerome Bettis was selected for the Pro Bowl six times during his career.
- What community work is Jerome Bettis known for?
- Beyond his football career, Jerome Bettis is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through The Bus Stops Here Foundation, which focuses on improving the quality of life for underprivileged children.
