View source for Jerome Bettis

{{Short description|American football player (born 1972)}}
{{Distinguish|Jerrod Bettis}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Jerome Bettis
| image       = Jerome Bettis 2016.jpg
| image_size  = 200px
| caption     = Bettis in February 2016
| number      = 36
| position    = [[Running back]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1972|02|16|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 5
| height_in   = 11
| weight_lbs  = 252
| death_date  =
| death_place = 
| high_school = [[Mackenzie High School (Michigan)|Mackenzie]] <br> {{nowrap|(Detroit, Michigan)}}
| college     = [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]] (1990–1992)
| draftyear   = 1993
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 10
| pastteams   =
* [[Los Angeles Rams|Los Angeles]] / [[St. Louis Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1993|1995}})
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] ({{NFL Year|1996|2005}})
| highlights  =
* [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XL|XL]])
* [[NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year]] (1993)
* [[NFL Comeback Player of the Year]] (1996)
* [[Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year]] (2001)
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1993 All-Pro Team|1993]], [[1996 All-Pro Team|1996]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[1997 All-Pro Team|1997]])
* 6× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1994 Pro Bowl|1993]], [[1995 Pro Bowl|1994]], [[1997 Pro Bowl|1996]], [[1998 Pro Bowl|1997]], [[2002 Pro Bowl|2001]], [[2005 Pro Bowl|2004]])
* [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA All-Rookie Team#1993|1993]])
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team]]
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers#Hall of Honor|Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor]]
* [[Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
| statlabel1  = [[Carry (American football)|Rushing attempts]]
| statvalue1  = 3,479
| statlabel2  = [[Rushing yards]]
| statvalue2  = 13,662
| statlabel3  = [[Touchdown|Rushing touchdowns]]
| statvalue3  = 91
| statlabel4  = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4  = 200
| statlabel5  = [[Receiving yards]]
| statvalue5  = 1,449
| statlabel6  = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statvalue6  = 3
| pfr         = B/BettJe00
| HOF         = jerome-bettis 
}}

'''Jerome Abram Bettis Sr.''' (born February 16, 1972) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] [[running back]] who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]. Nicknamed "'''the Bus'''" due to his large size and forceful running style, he played [[college football]] for the [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame Fighting Irish]] and was selected 10th overall by the [[Los Angeles Rams]] in the [[1993 NFL draft]]. Bettis was a member of the Rams for three seasons before being [[Jerome Bettis trade|traded to the Steelers]], where he spent the remainder of his career. A six-time [[Pro Bowl]] and two-time first-team [[All-Pro]] selection, he is regarded as one of the greatest power runners of all time and ranks eighth in [[List of NFL career rushing yards leaders|NFL rushing yards]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 25 Power Full Backs Of All Time|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2013/03/05/top-25-power-running-backs|work=Chris Burke|publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=November 15, 2020}}</ref> He retired in 2006 after helping the Steelers win a [[Super Bowl]] title in [[Super Bowl XL]], the franchise's first in over two decades. Bettis was inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jerome Bettis elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/01/31/Steelers-champion-Jerome-Bettis-elected-to-Pro-Football-Hall-of-Fame/stories/201501310191|work=Ed Bouchette|publisher=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|access-date=January 31, 2015}}</ref>

==Early life==
Bettis was born February 16, 1972, in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. He is the oldest of three children of Gladys Elizabeth (née Bougard) and Johnnie E. Bettis.<ref>Stated on ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (U.S. TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'', March 9, 2012</ref> Bettis did not start playing football until high school, as his primary passion as a youth had been [[bowling]]. At age 14, he was diagnosed with asthma.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography|url=http://www.webmd.com/jerome-bettis|work=Jerome Bettis|publisher=WebMD|access-date=November 25, 2012}}</ref> As a youth in Detroit, Bettis and his brother made ends meet by selling [[crack cocaine]].<ref name=crack>{{cite news|last1=Jahnke|first1=James|title=Jerome Bettis: I sold crack, shot at people in Detroit|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/07/23/jerome-bettis-detroit/30566969/|access-date=July 24, 2015|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|date=July 24, 2015}}</ref> He attended [[Mackenzie High School (Michigan)|Mackenzie High School]] in Detroit, where he was a standout running back and [[linebacker]]. As a senior, he was rated the top player in the state by the ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'', and was the [[Gatorade]] Circle of Champions Player of the Year award winner.

==College career==
Bettis enrolled at the [[University of Notre Dame]] to play [[college football]] for the [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish|Fighting Irish]]. Bettis finished his career with 337 rushing attempts for 1,912 yards (5.7 yards per attempt), and made 32 receptions for 429 yards (13.4 yards per reception). In his sophomore 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 last game as a junior, a 28–3 win by Notre Dame over Texas A&M in the [[1993 Cotton Bowl]], he rushed 20 times for 75 yards, ran for two touchdowns and caught a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Following this Bettis decided to forgo his senior year and enter the [[1993 NFL draft]].<ref name="nytimes.com">Jenkins, Lee (February 4, 2006). [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/04/sports/football/04bettis.html?_r=0 "With That Old College Retry, Bettis Revived His Career"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 13, 2017.</ref> He returned to [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] in 1996 when he was having a dispute with the [[St. Louis Rams]] and was considering retirement. He registered for courses in "history, philosophy, marketing and business" totaling an 18 credit class load.<ref name="nytimes.com"/> He returned to the [[NFL]] shortly thereafter.

Bettis later returned to Notre Dame to complete his college degree,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2022 |title=Football World Reacts to Jerome Bettis' Awesome News |url=https://thespun.com/nfl/football-world-reacts-to-jerome-bettis-awesome-news/amp}}</ref> and on May 15, 2022, he graduated with a business degree.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-hall-of-famer-jerome-bettis-completes-his-business-degree-at-notre-dame-28-years-after-leaving-university/|title=Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis completes his business degree at Notre Dame 28 years after leaving university|last=McCarriston|first=Shanna|website=CBS Sports|date=May 13, 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="15" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}}; color: white" |Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|-
! rowspan="2" |Season
! rowspan="2" |GP
! colspan="4" |Rushing
! colspan="4" |Receiving
|-
!Att
!Yds
!Avg
!TD
!Rec
!Yds
!Avg
!TD
|-
![[1990 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|1990]]
|11
|15
|115
|'''7.7'''
|1
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
![[1991 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|1991]]
|'''12'''
|'''168'''
|'''972'''
|5.8
|'''16'''
|'''17'''
|190
|11.2
|'''4'''
|-
![[1992 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|1992]]
|11
|154
|825
|5.4
|10
|15
|'''239'''
|'''15.9'''
|2
|-
![https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jerome-bettis-1.html Career]
!37
!337
!1,912
!5.7
!27
!32
!429
!13.4
!6
|}

==Professional career==
{{NFL predraft
|    height ft = 5
|    height in = 11
|       weight = 248
|         dash = 4.70
|    ten split =
| twenty split =
|      shuttle =
|   cone drill =
|     vertical =
|     broad ft =
|     broad in =
|        bench =
|     arm span = 33 3/4
|    hand span = 10 1/8
|    wonderlic =
|         note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?f=Jerome&l=Bettis&i=24098 |title=Jerome Bettis, Combine Results, FB - Notre Dame |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=August 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/402626-adding-up-the-numbers-a-rookie-impact-on-the-steelers-running-game |title=Adding Up the Numbers: A Rookie Impact On the Pittsburgh Steelers Running Game |website=bleacherreport.com |access-date=August 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://old.post-gazette.com/steelers/20010420nfldraft2.asp |title=NFL Draft 2001: The fuss over 40 |website=old.post-gazette.com |access-date=August 4, 2021 |archive-date=August 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804062951/https://old.post-gazette.com/steelers/20010420nfldraft2.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

===Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams===
The [[Los Angeles Rams]] selected Bettis in the first round, with the tenth overall selection, of the [[1993 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/draft.htm |access-date=March 31, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On July 22, 1993, He signed a three-year, $4.625 million contract with a signing bonus in excess of $2 million.<ref>[[T. J. Simers|Simers, J.T.]] (July 23, 1993). "Rams Reach Agreement With Bettis Football: No. 1 pick expected to sign and practice today".
[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60346522.html?dids=60346522:60346522&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+23%2C+1993&author=T.J.+SIMERS&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Rams+Reach+Agreement+With+Bettis+Football%3A+No.+1+pick+expected+to+sign+and+practice+today.+Trade+talks+involve+Cleveland+Gary.&pqatl=google Los Angeles Times] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105012821/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/60346522.html?dids=60346522%3A60346522&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Jul%2023%2C%201993&author=T.J.%20SIMERS&pub=Los%20Angeles%20Times%20%28pre-1997%20Fulltext%29&desc=Rams%20Reach%20Agreement%20With%20Bettis%20Football%3A%20No.%201%20pick%20expected%20to%20sign%20and%20practice%20today.%20Trade%20talks%20involve%20Cleveland%20Gary.&pqatl=google |date=November 5, 2012 }} Retrieved September 10, 2010.</ref> As a rookie, he flourished under [[Chuck Knox]]'s ground-oriented offense.  He quickly earned the nickname "The Battering Ram" as he rushed for 1,429 yards (second in the NFL), drawing comparisons to [[Earl Campbell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-08-sp-65186-story.html|title=Bettis' Pounding Runs Haven't Rescued Rams : NFL: Rookie running back is gaining yards and attention, but the offense remains ineffective because of a shoddy passing attack.|first=T. J.|last=SIMERS|date=December 8, 1993|access-date=December 25, 2017|via=LA Times}}</ref> Bettis also had an NFL-best 79 rushing first downs and an NFL-best 38 runs of 10 or more yards, and tied for the league lead with seven 100-yard rushing games despite not becoming the full-time starter until the sixth game of the season. Bettis was named a First-team [[1993 All-Pro Team|All-Pro]] (the only rookie named to the team) and Consensus [[NFL Rookie of the Year Award|NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year]]. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and was selected for the NFC's [[Pro Bowl]] team in each of his first two seasons with the Rams.

The Rams moved to [[St. Louis]] for the [[1995 NFL season|1995 season]]. New coach [[Rich Brooks]] instituted a more pass-oriented offense, a major reason why Bettis was limited to 637 yards,<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame: Steelers' Jerome Bettis redefined big, quick RBs|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25260852/nfl-hall-of-fame-steelers-jerome-bettis-redefined-big-quick-rbs|work=Ryan Wilson|publisher=[[CBSSports.com]]|access-date=February 8, 2016}}</ref> a significant dropoff from his 1993 and 1994 totals. Brooks asked Bettis whether he wanted to move to fullback for the upcoming 1996 season or preferred to be traded. He opted to be dealt.

====Trade to Pittsburgh====
{{main|Jerome Bettis trade}}

The Rams gave Bettis the option of which team he wanted to be traded to, and he chose the Steelers over their [[AFC North|AFC Central]] [[Steelers-Titans rivalry|rival]] [[Tennessee Titans|Houston Oilers]] (who would draft [[Eddie George]] that year instead) due to the Steelers' more storied history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=i8LfQvT0b-0|title = Jerome Bettis talks about the trade that changed his life &#124; Pittsburgh Steelers|website = [[YouTube]]| date=September 20, 2017 }}</ref>

The Steelers were in need of a running back because [[Bam Morris]], their power running back for the 1994 and 1995 seasons, was arrested in March 1996 for marijuana possession.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/03/27/steelers-morris-indicted-on-drug-charges/|title=Steelers' Morris Indicted On Drug Charges|date=March 27, 1996|website=ChicagoTribune.com|access-date=December 25, 2017}}</ref>

In what would become one of the more lopsided trades in NFL history, on draft day (April 20, 1996) Bettis was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a third-round pick in the [[1996 NFL draft]] in exchange for the Steelers' second-round pick and their fourth-round pick in the [[1997 NFL draft]].<ref>Clarochi, Paul (April 21, 1996), "Steelers Bet on Bettis to Fill RB Void".[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wIkyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TLYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1859,4370381&dq=bettis+traded&hl=en Beaver County Times] Retrieved September 12, 2010.</ref> The Steelers drafted [[Steve Conley (linebacker)|Steve Conley]] with the Rams’ third round selection. With their second round pick in the 1996 draft the Rams took [[Ernie Conwell]]. In 1997 the Rams traded their fourth-round pick from the Steelers and two sixth-round picks to the Dolphins in order to move up nine slots and take offensive tackle [[Ryan Tucker]].

Morris eventually pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and was cut by the team in June 1996, leaving Bettis as the featured back. Conley was traded to the Colts two seasons later for a fifth-round pick.

===Pittsburgh Steelers===
In his first season in Pittsburgh, Bettis rushed for a then career-high 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named to his second 1st team [[1996 All-Pro Team|All-Pro]] team. He also won the [[NFL Comeback Player of the Year]], NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year, was voted Steelers' team MVP and finished the 1996 season as the leader in [[Football Outsiders]] rushing [[Football Outsiders#DYAR|DYAR]] [[advanced metrics|metric]].<ref>[http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb1996] Footballoutsiders.com. Retrieved on September 13, 2017.</ref>

Bettis rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons with the Steelers between 1996 and 2001. Included in that run were three campaigns of over 1,300 yards. In 1997, Bettis rushed for a career-best 1,665 yards in the team's first 15 games. However, because the team had already wrapped up its playoff position, he was rested for the regular-season finale and finished 26 yards short of the team's single-season record. Bettis does hold the Steelers' franchise record for rushing yards in a single season when including postseason play.<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&year_min=1950&year_max=2017&season_start=1&season_end=-1&pos=0&game_type=E&team_id=pit&career_game_num_min=1&career_game_num_max=400&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&c5val=1.0&order_by=rush_yds] Pro-Football-Reference.com.</ref> Bettis was a second-team All-Pro choice in 1997 and set a then NFL record with two overtime touchdowns in the same season.

Bettis was leading the league with 1,072 rushing yards in 2001 when he suffered a serious hip and groin injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season. Injuries would also cost him significant parts of the 2002 season, leaving him as a backup to [[Amos Zereoué]] to begin the 2003 season. Despite regaining his starting role midway through the 2003 season, Bettis again found himself a backup to start the 2004 season, this time to free-agent acquisition [[Duce Staley]]. But when an injury took Staley out of action midway through the year, Bettis stepped in and gained 100-plus yards in six of the next eight games, and in seven consecutive starts. The late-season effort led to the sixth Pro-Bowl berth of his career.

Bettis spent the 2005 season as a short-yardage running back, but managed two notable games along the way: a 101-yard, two-touchdown effort in a pivotal week 14 win over Chicago (his second-to-last game in Pittsburgh) in which he ran over Bears' safety [[Mike Green (defensive back)|Mike Green]] and the NFL's [[Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]] linebacker [[Brian Urlacher]] on the goal line during a heavy snow squall. Then he scored three touchdowns in a win over Detroit to clinch a playoff berth on the last day of the season. He finished the season and his career as the NFL's 5th leading all-time [[Rush (American football)|rusher]].

Bettis was also at the center of one of the most controversial calls in NFL history. During a Thanksgiving Day game with the [[Detroit Lions]] on November 26, 1998, he was sent out as the Steelers representative for the overtime coin toss. Bettis appeared to call "tails" while the coin was in the air but referee [[Phil Luckett]] declared that Bettis had called "heads" first and awarded possession to Detroit, which would go on to win the game before Pittsburgh had the chance to have possession."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/27/sports/pro-football-heads-tails-referee-chooses-then-steelers-lose.html|title=PRO FOOTBALL; 'Heads'? 'Tails'? Referee Chooses, Then Steelers Lose|date=November 27, 1998|access-date=December 25, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> After reviewing the incident, the NFL changed the rule and declared that the call of "heads" or "tails" would be made before the coin was tossed rather than during the toss and that at least two officials would be present. In 2001 the readers of ESPN voted the incident as No. 8 on its list of the ten worst sports officiating calls of all time,  even though sound enhancements of the audio showed that Bettis said "hea-tails" and Bettis admitted starting to call "heads" before changing it to tails.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/readers/worstcalls.html The Readers' List:Worst calls in history]. ESPN. August 27, 2001. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.</ref>  Bettis later put together one of the most bizarre single-game statistics in NFL history. In the 2004 season opener he scored three touchdowns while carrying the ball five times for a total of only one yard and a 0.2 yards per carry average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200409120pit.htm|title=Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 12th, 2004|date=|website=pro-football-reference.com|access-date=January 9, 2023}}</ref>

During that 2004 season, Bettis and [[New York Jets]] running back [[Curtis Martin]] dueled for position on the all-time rushing yards leaderboard. Bettis entered the season in 6th place all-time and 684 yards ahead of Martin in 9th place. Because Bettis was the backup in Pittsburgh for the start of the season, Martin was able to pass Bettis in week 13 until the Steelers played their game later in the day and Bettis retook the lead by 6 yards. When the Jets traveled to Martin's home town of Pittsburgh to play the Steelers the following week, both backs would cross the 13,000-yard mark, making this the first time two players crossed the 13,000 yard mark (or other similarly high yardage milestones) in the same game. Their combined career totals were also one of the biggest combined career totals for opposing running backs in history. At the end of the game, Martin would lead Bettis by 9 yards. Two weeks later in week 16, Bettis would again pass Martin and establish himself with a lead of 81 yards. In doing so, Bettis passed [[Eric Dickerson]] for 4th place on the all-time list. Bettis sat out the final week of the season, and when Martin rushed for 153 yards that week he passed Dickerson, and Bettis for the final time.

After the Steelers' defeat in the [[NFL playoffs, 2004–05|2004 AFC Championship Game]] on January 23, 2005, Bettis announced that he was considering retirement, but would not make a final decision for several months to prevent the sting of the defeat from clouding his judgment. Later, Bettis agreed to stay with the Steelers for another season. He stated he would love to play in the [[Super Bowl]] in 2006 since it was to be played in his hometown of Detroit. His wish came true as the Steelers played in, and won, [[Super Bowl XL]] (40) against the [[Seattle Seahawks]], 21–10, on February 5, 2006.

Bettis finished his 13 NFL seasons as the NFL's 5th all-time leading rusher with 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns. He also caught 200 passes for 1,449 yards and 3 touchdowns and threw 3 career touchdown passes. He was named to the [[Pro Bowl]] in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2004. Bettis won the [[NFL Comeback Player of the Year]] award in 1996, and in 2002 he was the recipient of the [[Walter Payton Man of the Year Award]]. While Bettis finished with 1,542 more yards than [[Franco Harris]] on the NFL's all-time rushing list, Harris remains the Steelers all-time leading rusher because 3,091 of Bettis’ yards came while he was with the Rams.

Bettis received the nickname "'''the Bus'''" during his time at Notre Dame, as a reporter at the university's newspaper (The Observer) came up with it, stating that he looked like a bus taking guys for a ride. This led to a student chant about how "Nobody stops the bus" that stuck for the rest of his tenure at the school.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/08/01/how-jerome-bettis-became-bus/18514231007/ | title=How Jerome Bettis became the Bus }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/steelers/20001221steele2.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422225721/http://old.post-gazette.com/steelers/20001221steele2.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 22, 2016|title=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=December 21, 2000|website=Post-Gazette.com|access-date=December 25, 2017}}</ref>

Bettis was given the nickname "'''the Closer'''” by his Steeler head coach [[Bill Cowher]] because whenever Pittsburgh was ahead at the end of the game, Cowher would send in Bettis to run out the clock.<ref>[https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/.amp/nfl/state-your-case-jerome-bettis State your case. Jerome Bettis] ''Si''</ref>

====Final season====
{{see also|2005 Pittsburgh Steelers-Indianapolis Colts playoff game}}
[[File:Jerome Bettis 2005.jpg|thumb|left|Bettis in a 2005 game]]
Shortly after the Steelers lost the 2004–2005 AFC Championship game to the eventual [[Super Bowl XXXIX]] champion [[New England Patriots]], [[Ben Roethlisberger]] approached Bettis. He promised Bettis that if he came back for one last season, he would get him to the Super Bowl. Apparently, it was this promise that got Jerome Bettis to play one last season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jenkins |first1=T. J. |title=The Ben Roethlisberger Story: I'll Take You There, Bus |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/152179-the-ben-roethlisberger-story-ill-take-you-there-bus |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> In 12 NFL seasons, Bettis had reached the playoffs five times, but had never been in the Super Bowl.

In week 17 of the 2005 NFL season, Bettis rushed for 41 yards and three touchdowns against the [[Detroit Lions]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20161110030909/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=260101023]. espn.go.com (January 1, 2006). Retrieved on August 20, 2015.</ref> The Steelers won, 35–21, and thanks to Bettis's three touchdowns, they clinched a playoff berth. When [[Bill Cowher]] pulled Bettis from the game late in the fourth quarter, he was given a standing ovation from the Steeler fans. This game would be the last home game (not including the neutral-site [[Super Bowl]]) for Jerome Bettis.

Bettis contributed 52 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' wildcard playoff victory over the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] on January 8. After their wildcard win, Ben Roethlisberger revealed to the team that he promised to Bettis that he would get him to the Super Bowl, in order to get him to come back for the 2005 season.

On [[2005 Pittsburgh Steelers-Indianapolis Colts playoff game|January 15, 2006]], Bettis was the center of one of football's most memorable<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL 100 |url=https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/games-89 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> endings in a divisional playoff game against the [[Indianapolis Colts]]. The Steelers offensive attack was mostly pass-driven during the game. Bettis ran for 46 yards on 17 rushes, including one touchdown. When the Steelers took possession of the ball on the Indianapolis 2-yard line with 1:20 remaining in the game, leading 21–18, the outcome seemed almost certain. The first play from scrimmage went to the surehanded Bettis, who had not fumbled once the entire year. As Bettis ran towards the end zone, Colts linebacker [[Gary Brackett]] popped the ball out of Jerome's hands, where, in seemingly another occurrence of the ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' "cover jinx," it was picked up by cornerback [[Nick Harper (American football)|Nick Harper]], who was [[Pittsburgh sports lore#Immaculate Redemption/The Tackle|stopped from returning the fumble all the way for a touchdown]] by Steelers quarterback [[Ben Roethlisberger]]. Ultimately, however, Bettis's mistake did not result in a Steelers loss, as Colts kicker [[Mike Vanderjagt]] missed a 46-yard game-tying field goal, ending the game with a 21-18 Steelers victory.

The next week, the Steelers were set to face off against the [[Denver Broncos]] in the AFC Championship game. Bettis delivered a rousing speech to his teammates the day before the game, asking them to "Just get me to Detroit", his hometown, where [[Super Bowl XL]] was to be played.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bettis headed home for career finale |url=https://www.deseret.com/2006/1/23/19934222/bettis-headed-home-for-career-finale |website=Deseret News |language=en |date=January 23, 2006}}</ref> Bettis's wish was granted, as he and the Steelers advanced to [[Super Bowl XL]] with a 34–17 win over the Broncos, led by [[Ben Roethlisberger]]'s arm. Bettis ran for 39 yards on 15 carries, including a touchdown. After the game was over, Bettis found his parents in the crowd and mouthed the words "We're going home" to them.

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| style="width:3em"| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="6"| Rushing
! colspan="6"| Receiving
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|1D|First downs rushing}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} !! {{abbr|1D|First downs receiving}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} !! {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} !! {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}}
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] !! [[1993 Los Angeles Rams season|LAR]]
| 16 || 12 || 294 || 1,429 || '''4.9''' || 79 || '''71''' || 7 || 26 || 244 || 9.4 || 9 || 28 || 0 || 4 || 2
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] !! [[1993 Los Angeles Rams season|LAR]]
| 16 || 16 || 319 || 1,025 || 3.2 || 53 || 19 || 3 || '''31''' || '''293''' || 9.5 || '''16''' || '''34''' || 1 || 5 || 3
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] !! [[1995 St. Louis Rams season|STL]]
| 15 || 13 || 183 || 637 || 3.5 || 24 || 41 || 3 || 18 || 106 || 5.9 || 4 || 19 || 0 || 4 || 2
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] !! [[1996 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 16 || 12 || 320 || 1,431 || 4.5 || 76 || 50 || 11 || 22 || 122 || 5.5 || 6 || 16 || 0 || '''7''' || 4
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] !! [[1997 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 15 || 15 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''375''' || '''1,665''' || 4.4 || '''94''' || 34 || 7 || 15 || 110 || 7.3 || 5 || 19 || '''2''' || 6 || '''6'''
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] !! [[1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 15 || 15 || 316 || 1,185 || 3.8 || 58 || 42 || 3 || 16 || 90 || 5.6 || 2 || 26 || 0 || 2 || 1
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] !! [[1999 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 16 || 16 || 299 || 1,091 || 3.6 || 64 || 35 || 7 || 21 || 110 || 5.2 || 2 || 17 || 0 || 2 || 1
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] !! [[2000 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 16 || 16 || 355 || 1,341 || 3.8 || 71 || 30 || 8 || 13 || 97 || 7.5 || 4 || 25 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] !! [[2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 11 || 11 || 225 || 1,072 || 4.8 || 46 || 48 || 4 || 8 || 48 || 6.0 || 2 || 16 || 0 || 3 || 0
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] !! [[2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 13 || 11 || 187 || 667 || 3.6 || 42 || 41 || 9 || 7 || 57 || 8.1 || 3 || 15 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] !! [[2003 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 16 || 10 || 246 || 811 || 3.3 || 43 || 21 || 7 || 13 || 86 || 6.6 || 4 || 16 || 0 || 5 || 4
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] !! [[2004 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 15 || 6 || 250 || 941 || 3.8 || 50 || 29 || '''13''' || 6 || 46 || 7.7 || 2 || 20 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[2005 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 12 || 0 || 110 || 368 || 3.3 || 30 || 39 || 9 || 4 || 40 || '''10.0''' || 2 || 16 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| Career<ref name=ESPN>{{Cite web |title=Jerome Bettis Stats |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/389/jerome-bettis |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |access-date=March 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name=PFR>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BettJe00.htm |title=Jerome Bettis Stats |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en-US |access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref> !! 192 !! 153 !! 3,479 !! 13,662 !! 3.9 !! 730 !! 71 !! 91 !! 200 !! 1,449 !! 7.2 !! 61 !! 34 !! 3 !! 41 !! 24
|}

===Postseason===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="6"| Rushing
! colspan="6"| Receiving
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|1D|First downs rushing}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} !! {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} !! {{abbr|1D|First downs receiving}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} !! {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} !! {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} !! {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}}
|-
! [[1996–97 NFL playoffs|1996]] !! [[1996 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 2 || 2 || 38 || 145 || '''3.8''' || 9 || 18 || 2 || '''3''' || 3 || 1.0 || 0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1997–98 NFL playoffs|1997]] !! [[1997 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 2 || 2 || '''48''' || 172 || 3.6 || 8 || 16 || 1 || 2 || 10 || 5.0 || 0 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2001–02 NFL playoffs|2001]] !! [[2001 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 1 || 1 || 9 || 8 || 0.9 || 1 || 4 || 1 || 2 || '''23''' || 11.5 || '''2''' || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2002–03 NFL playoffs|2002]] !! [[2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 2 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 1.0 || 0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2004–05 NFL playoffs|2004]] !! [[2004 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 2 || 2 || 44 || 165 || '''3.8''' || 7 || 25 || 2 || 1 || 21 || '''21.0''' || 1 || '''21''' || 0 || '''2''' || '''2'''
|-
! [[2005–06 NFL playoffs|2005]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[2005 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 4 || 0 || 26 || '''180''' || 3.2 || '''12''' || '''25''' || '''3''' || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
|-
! colspan="2"| Career<ref name="ESPNpost">{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/389/type/nfl/seasontype/3 |title=Jerome Bettis postseason stats |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name=PFRpost>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BettJe00/gamelog/post/ |title=Jerome Bettis postseason stats |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en-US |access-date=June 16, 2023}}</ref> !! 13 !! 7 !! 199 !! 674 !! 3.4 !! 37 !! 25 !! 9 !! 8 !! 57 !! 7.1 !! 3 !! 21 !! 0 !! 3 !! 3
|}

==Retirement from football==
[[File:Pittsburgh Steelers at the White House 20060602-4 d-0234-1-515h.jpg|thumb|Bettis with Steelers teammates and coach [[Bill Cowher]] at [[the White House]] following Super Bowl XL]]
Asked about the possibility of retirement, Bettis announced, "I played this game  for a championship. I'm a champion, and I think the Bus' last stop is here in Detroit." Thus, Jerome Bettis officially announced his retirement standing on the champions' podium, holding the [[Vince Lombardi Trophy]] alongside [[Dan Rooney]], who accepted the trophy on behalf of both himself and [[Bill Cowher]], the winning head coach. [[Hines Ward]], the MVP of the game, said during the Super Bowl commercial, "[[I'm Going to Disney World!|I'm going to Disney World]] and I'm taking '''''The Bus'''''!"

Although the Steelers have not officially retired Bettis' #36, they have not reissued it since his retirement and it is understood that no Steeler will ever wear it again. His number joins a list of other unofficially retired numbers such as those of [[Terry Bradshaw]] and [[Hines Ward]].

On January 31, 2006, [[List of mayors of Detroit|Detroit Mayor]] [[Kwame Kilpatrick]] and the City Council presented the [[key to the city]] to Bettis and declared the week "Jerome Bettis Week" for being "a shining example of what a kid with a dream from Detroit can accomplish with hard work and determination."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fWMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iLUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6318%2C156178 |title=Officially, today is Jerome Bettis Day |work=Beaver County Times |date=February 1, 2006}}</ref> Currently, he lives in [[Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/tv-talk-steelers-legend-jerome-bettis-guest-stars-on-cbs-sitcom-the-neighborhood/|title = TV Talk: Steelers legend Jerome Bettis guest stars on CBS sitcom 'The Neighborhood'|date = November 5, 2021}}</ref>

Governor [[Jennifer M. Granholm]] of the State of [[Michigan]] declared February 1, 2006, to be Jerome Bettis Day.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-23442_25488-136253--,00.html Jerome Bettis Day] Proclamations, Michigan.gov</ref>

On May 21, 2006, Bettis received an honorary Doctoral degree from [[Lawrence Technological University]] in Southfield, Michigan.

Before the Steelers' home opener of the [[2006 NFL season]], a large school bus drove onto the field, and Bettis stepped out to a massive crowd ovation.  He was one of several Steelers players being honored as part of the celebration of the franchise's five Super Bowl victories; [[Lynn Swann]] and [[Franco Harris]] were also present.

==Post-football career==
[[File:Bettis 2011-02-19.jpg|thumb|Bettis speaking at a sports convention.]]
In February 2006, at the 2006 Winter Olympics, [[NBC Sports]] announced that Bettis had been signed as a studio commentator for NBC's new ''[[Football Night in America]]'' Sunday night pregame show where he was through the 2008 season.
{{wikinews|Pittsburgh's Bettis to work as NBC studio analyst}}

In April 2006, Bettis and his parents teamed up with Don Barden, the head of PITG Gaming LLC, in a bid for a casino on Pittsburgh's [[Northside (Pittsburgh)|Northside]] to be called the Majestic Star. Their plan would aid the [[National Hockey League|NHL]]'s [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] with funding for a new ice arena.  Barden said that he would give $7.5 million a year for 30 years to help build a new arena.<ref>[https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=163073&hubname= Bettis joins bid for new Pittsburgh arena] Associated Press article at tsn.ca, April 18, 2006</ref>

Bettis opened a restaurant called "Jerome Bettis' Grille 36" on June 5, 2007, on Pittsburgh's Northside.<ref>[http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07151/790197-46.stm Jerome Bettis Grille 36 opens Tuesday on N. Side] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dining Guide, May 31, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.postgazette.com/pg/06192/704864-66.stm Bettis' Grille 36 in the works] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060716055300/http://www.postgazette.com/pg/06192/704864-66.stm |date=July 16, 2006 }} Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sports, July 11, 2007</ref>

Bettis makes a cameo as himself in the episode "[[The Convention (The Office)|The Convention]]" of season 3 of the NBC comedy series ''[[The Office (US TV series)|The Office]]''. Signing autographs at a paper convention, [[Michael Scott (The Office)|Michael Scott]] tries to invite him to a room party, which Bettis declines. Later, Michael claims Bettis is nicknamed "The Bus" because he is afraid of flying.

In 2010, Bettis joined [[School of the Legends]] (SOTL), an [[online community]] and partner of the [[NFLPA]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Veteran Running Backs Offer Rookies Advice in Exclusive School of the Legends Interview |publisher=Business Wire |date=June 3, 2011 |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110603005764/en/Veteran-Running-Backs-Offer-Rookies-Advice-Exclusive |access-date=December 6, 2011 }}</ref> He was featured in an article on the D1 Training website in February 2011 and filmed training courses for SOTL that focused on his position as a running back.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jerome Bettis Stops by D1 |publisher=D1SportingTraining|date=February 21, 2011 |url=http://d1sportstraining.blogspot.com/2011/02/jerome-bettis-stops-by-d1.html }}</ref>

Bettis is currently the host of ''The Jerome Bettis Show'' on [[WPXI-TV]], filmed at [[Heinz Field]] in Pittsburgh, airing Saturdays at 7:00 PM and 1:00 AM. He was a commentator for the [[NFL Network]] and a former NBC studio analyst for ''[[Football Night in America]]''.  Now he is an NFL analyst for different [[ESPN]] programs, such as ''[[SportsCenter]]''.

The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation and other agencies sponsor the Jerome Bettis Asthma and Sports Camp annually for children with asthma.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jerome Bettis Hosts Children's Asthma Sports Camp At Heinz Field|url=http://www.wpxi.com/news/entertainment/jerome-bettis-hosts-childrens-asthma-sports-camp-a/nGprt/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209233747/http://www.wpxi.com/news/entertainment/jerome-bettis-hosts-childrens-asthma-sports-camp-a/nGprt/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=WPXI|date=July 22, 2010}}</ref> Bettis has also delivered over 1000 pairs of cleats to children in the Detroit school system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Gavin |title=Where Are They Now? Your Favorite NFL Players of the '90s |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/2013/09/nfl-players-90s-where-are-they-now/jerome-bettis |website=Complex |access-date=August 20, 2018 |date=September 11, 2013}}</ref>

After falling short as a finalist in 2013,<ref>{{cite news|title=Parcells, Carter finally make Pro Football Hall of Fame|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/02/02/nfl-hall-of-fame-announcement/1886453/|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=February 2, 2013|first1=Jim|last1=Corbett|date=February 2, 2013}}</ref> on January 31, 2015, Bettis was voted into The [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Football Hall of Fame: Jerome Bettis among the 2015 class|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25013699/pro-football-hall-of-fame-jerome-bettis-among-the-2015-class|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=January 31, 2015|first1=Igor|last1=Mello|date=January 31, 2015}}</ref>  Bettis returned to NBC to help [[Bob Costas]] preside over the [[Vince Lombardi Trophy]] presentation at the end of [[Super Bowl XLIX]] on February 1, 2015.

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

Bettis portrays himself in the episode "Welcome to the Ex-Files" in Season 4 of the CBS comedy series ''[[The Neighborhood (TV series)|The Neighborhood]]'', where he visits the home of principal characters Calvin and Tina Butler for dinner after running into them at a restaurant. In the course of the evening, characters learn that Bettis & Tina had a "summer fling" when they were teenagers, triggering jealousy in Calvin that gets resolved by the end of the episode.

Bettis returned on campus at the [[University of Notre Dame]] in 2021–2022 to finish his [[bachelor's degree]], something he had started nearly 30 years earlier.  He graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor's degree in business.<ref name=":0" />

==Personal life==
Bettis has made political donations to both [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidates, such as the Congressional campaign of Democratic Representative [[Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick]] and [[George W. Bush 2004 presidential campaign|George W. Bush's 2004 reelection campaign]].<ref name=BettisPoliticalDonations>[http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political_donations/Jerome_Bettis.php Jerome Bettis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406013053/http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political_donations/Jerome_Bettis.php |date=April 6, 2008 }}, Newsmeat.com, ''Accessed March 31, 2008.''</ref>  On March 29, 2008, Bettis accompanied [[Barack Obama]] on a campaign visit to the [[U.S. Steel]] plant in [[Braddock, Pennsylvania]].<ref>Michael David Smith, [http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/29/barack-obamas-pennsylvania-strategy-appear-with-franco-harris/ Barack Obama's Pennsylvania Strategy: Appear With Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis], ''Accessed March 31, 2008.''</ref> Bettis endorsed Vice President [[Kamala Harris]] in the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Deto |first=Ryan |title=Political football: Why former Steeler Jerome Bettis is backing Kamala Harris |website=TribLIVE.com |date=20 August 2024 |url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/political-football-why-former-steeler-jerome-bettis-is-backing-kamala-harris/ |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Profootballhof|id=296|name=Jerome Bettis}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081011174133/http://www.wpxi.com/jeromebettisshow/ The Jerome Bettis Show on WPXI]
* [http://www.thebus36.com/ The Bus Stops Here Foundation]
* {{Footballstats |nfl=Jerome-Bettis
|espn=389 |cbs= |yahoo=2354 |si=2354 |pfr=B/BettJe00}}

{{1993 NFL Draft}}
{{RamsFirstPick}}
{{Los Angeles Rams 1993 draft navbox}}
{{AP Offensive Rookies of the Year}}
{{NFL Comeback Players of the Year}}
{{Walter Payton Man of the Year Award}}
{{Super Bowl XL}}
{{10,000 rushing yards club}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor}}
{{2015 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
{{Walter Camp Man of the Year}}
{{Football Night in America}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bettis, Jerome}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
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[[Category:American football running backs]]
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[[Category:Mackenzie High School (Michigan) alumni]]
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