Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jerome Bettis Named To Pro Football Hall Of Fame
Jun 29, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) greets former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis (right) in the dugout before playing the New York Mets at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The fifth year of eligibility was the charm, as ESPN and WPXI have reported that Jerome Bettis will be inducted as part of the 2015 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I’m so happy to be amongst the games greatest players,” Bettis said in a statement he released on Twitter. “My Family and I are truly honored and blessed. I want to thank the my teammates, the Steelers organization and most of all the fans.”
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Bettis was presented to the Hall of Fame Board by Ed Bouchette, the Steelers beat writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and 2014 Dick McCann Award Winner.
Bettis ran for 13,962 yards with both the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, sixth most in NFL history, while also scoring 91 career touchdowns (10th in NFL history). Additionally the man known to many Terrible Towel waving fans as “The Bus” had 61 100 yard rushing games which is fifth best and eight 1,000 yard rushing seasons which places him in a tie for fifth place. Bettis also played in 192 games showing his durability which is further proven with 3,479 total carries.
In his final season with the Steelers Bettis got the proverbial monkey off his back as part of the winning Super Bowl 40 Steelers team which was played in his backyard of Detroit, Michigan.
Former Steelers Kevin Greene was a finalist for the 2015 class, however was not selected.
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Bettis will join Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Bill Polian, Junior Seau, Will Shields, Mick Tinglehoff, Ron Wolf as memebers of the 2015 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
They said it on Jerome Bettis making the Hall of Fame:
“Congrats Bus. A true honor and joy to have coached a player who defined CLASS, CHARACTER & CONSISTENCY. Thanks for the memories.” – Bill Cowher
Congratulations to @JeromeBettis36 on his election to the @ProFootballHOF! #BurghProud” – Pittsburgh Pirates
“I’m happy for Jerome. I’m so glad he got in. He’s been on the edge so many years in a row.” – Le’Veon Bell
“The Bus is parking in Canton! Congrats on the Hall of Fame @JeromeBettis36! Happy for you man.” – ESPN’s Michael Smith
“One of my first-ever interviews was with @JeromeBettis36 back in the day. He was great then but he’s FAME-ous now. #CongratsBus!” – CBS Sport’s Dave Richard
“It’s was a pleasure to have had the chance to give the ball to #36 #TheBus #JeromeBettis #HereWeGo #GoSteelers #HOF. Congrats bro!” – Kordell Stewart
“Congrats to my Bro @JeromeBettis36. Well deserved. I’m buying my tix now to Canton. I’m not missing this one.” – Hines Ward