Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettiswas honored for his illustrious career as one of the NFL's most prolific running backs as he was elected today to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015, it was announced this evening.
"I would like to congratulate Jerome on his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Steelers President Art Rooney IIsaid. "Jerome is one of the most decorated running backs in NFL history and this election is a well-deserved honor. Not only was he truly a leader on and off the field, he played a major role in our success by helping us to four AFC Championship Games and winning Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit. The entire Steelers organization can celebrate Jerome being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015."
Bettis played in 192 regular-season games in his 13-year career, spending his first three seasons with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the final 10 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Detroit native registered the sixth-most rushing yards (13,662) in NFL history. Bettis eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 61 games during the regular season and three times in the postseason, compiling a 47-17 record in those contests. He recorded 78 rushing touchdowns as a member of the Steelers during the regular season, the second-most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Franco Harris (91). In all, Bettis led his team in rushing 11 seasons, three with the Rams and eight with the Steelers. His eight 1,000-plus yard seasons tied for third-best in the NFL when he retired.
Bettis was named to six Pro Bowls, voted first team All-Pro twice, second team All-Pro once and was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 1996. In 10 years in Pittsburgh, Bettis helped the Steelers reach four AFC Championship games and win Super Bowl XL in 2005, finishing his career with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Before he came to Pittsburgh in 1996 and recorded 1,431 rushing yards in his first season, the Steelers had only one 1,000 yard rusher in the previous 12 seasons.
Bettis will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Fawcett Stadium.
