Jerome Bettis Show

Current Steeler, Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski talks about Bettis' impact

PITTSBURGH — Former Steelers great Jerome Bettis will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend in Canton, Ohio. While Bettis was running over opposing defenses, current Steelers quarterback and Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski was taking it all in.

"He was an awesome running back. Powerful and sweet feet, but those were my years growing up,” Gradkowski said. "I remember him like it was yesterday, so the impact he made on the Pittsburgh area, especially as kids growing up, we always looked up to him. He's a great role model around this area."

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Bettis, who continues to be a role model in the area, will now be a Hall of Famer and Gradkowski couldn't be happier for one of his childhood heroes.

"The Bus is the man,” Gradkowski said. "He had a great career here in Pittsburgh. It's great that he's going to be honored the right way. It's a compliment of himself, the way he took care of his body for all the years."

Bettis goes into the Hall of Fame Saturday. Gradkowski and the Steelers will play the Minnesota Vikings Sunday in the Hall of Fame game. The game will be broadcasted on WPXI Channel 11.