Sports
Jerome Bettis
born 1972 · American football running back
Detroit-born Hall of Fame running back, "the Bus", who won Super Bowl XL with Pittsburgh at Ford Field in his hometown and retired on the spot.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan
age 54- Birth name
- Jerome Abram Bettis
- Also known as
- The Bus
- Detroit years
- 1972–1990
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Bettis grew up on Detroit's west side, where his first sporting love was bowling rather than football; he did not play organized football until high school. At Mackenzie High School he became a standout running back and linebacker, and as a senior he was rated the best player in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press. After Notre Dame he spent thirteen NFL seasons with the Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers, a powerful 255-pound runner nicknamed "the Bus" who retired sixth on the league's rushing list. Detroit kept pulling him home. In 2005 he said he wanted to reach the Super Bowl because it would be played in his hometown, and on February 5, 2006, the Steelers won Super Bowl XL at Ford Field. Standing on the stage in Detroit, Bettis announced his retirement. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Highlights
- Born and raised in Detroit; starred at Mackenzie High School
- 13,662 career rushing yards
- Won Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in his hometown, February 5, 2006
- Six Pro Bowls; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 1993
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2015
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · 1986–1990
Mackenzie High School (site)
Demolished
His west-side Detroit high school, where he starred at running back; the school has closed and its building was demolished.
Played here · 2006
Ford Field
Where he won Super Bowl XL with Pittsburgh and announced his retirement in February 2006.