Jerome Bettis

Lore & Background

Bettis played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected 10th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL draft. He was a member of the Rams for three seasons before being traded to the Steelers, where he spent the remainder of his career. Bettis received six Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections, in addition to being a member of the Steelers team that won Super Bowl XL, the franchise's first title in over two decades. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Reader's Guide

Bettis finished his career as the NFL's 5th leading all-time rusher. He holds the Steelers' franchise record for rushing yards in a single season when including postseason play. He was named Consensus NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1993 and NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1996.

Did You Know?

• Bettis did not start playing football until high school; his primary passion as a youth had been bowling.
• At age 14, he was diagnosed with asthma.
• As a youth in Detroit, Bettis and his brother made ends meet by selling crack cocaine.
• He set the Notre Dame touchdown record with 20 in his sophomore year (16 rushing, 4 receiving), a record that still stands.
• Bettis returned to Notre Dame in 1996 during a dispute with the St. Louis Rams and registered for courses in history, philosophy, marketing, and business.