Home > Jerome Bettis

Nicknamed "The Bus" because opposing linebackers often felt as if they had been run over by a bus, Bettis attended Notre Dame. He was picked in the first round of the 1993 draft by the St. Louis Rams. A star even in his rookie year, he rushed for 1429 yards in 1993, and over 1000 in his second season, both with the Rams, but his carries declined as he fell out of favor with the team. His career took an upturn when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996. He has been an integral part of the Steelers offense since that time, and until 2001 was a dependable 1000-yard rusher. Although age has slightly reduced his role, he remains important to the Steelers and is the NFL's 6th leading all-time rusher.