Former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis talks about graduation, charity and team’s status

PITTSBURGH — Jerome Bettis is living his best life in 2022. The legendary Steelers Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer is on the links this weekend at the American Century Championship on WPXI-TV.

Bettis turned 50 this year, and fulfilled a promise he made to his mother many years ago by graduating from Notre Dame. To do it, he had to live on campus for his remaining semester and attend classes.

Bettis told Channel 11, “It’s something I said I was going to do a long time ago. I made a promise to my mother and I feel so good and so proud I was able to keep the promise, and I was also able to show my kids what a graduate looks like.”

Bettis believes the Steelers have the ability to be a playoff team in 2022, calling the national idea that the team is far away from the playoffs “ridiculous.” He’s also looking forward to big things from running back Najee Harris in his second season.  “Year two is, you have to dictate to the defense what you want to do, impose your will on that defense,” said Bettis. “I think that’s going to be the thing he has to now take to the next level, starting to impose his will.”

Bettis continues to be heavily involved in helping the Pittsburgh community, through his Bus Stops Here Foundation. “The city put their arms around me, received me, lifted me up, and so for that I feel I want to do the same thing. I want to put my arms around the city. I want to try to lift it up as much as I possibly can through the foundation and all the things we’re doing,” said Bettis.

Bettis will be back on WPXI for a 17th season of the Jerome Bettis Show in the fall, something he’s looking forward to.  He said, “To have an opportunity to be in front of the fans in Pittsburgh for a 17th season, I couldn’t be more proud and more excited about the season and the show, and what we’re going to do. I’m really looking forward to it.”

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