From gridiron to college classroom: Former Steeler Jerome Bettis goes back to Notre Dame
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Jerome Bettis: What you need to know (NCD)
ByNatalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Jerome Bettis has six Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl win and even a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame over his 13-year career, but one thing Bettis doesn’t have is his college degree.
“The Bus” announced on Twitter this week that he’s going back to school, WPXI reported.
He is finishing his final semester at the University of Notre Dame.
“I’ve always told my kids that whatever you start, you finish,” Bettis wrote on Twitter. “I knew when I left 27 years ago to go to the NFL that I would be back one day. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and further your education.”
I have always told my kids that whatever you start, you finish. Today I started my final semester at the University of @NotreDame. I knew when I left 27 years ago to go to the @NFL that I would be back one day. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and further your education. pic.twitter.com/N06qKjwkpH
He signed with Notre Dame as a running back and played for the Fighting Irish from 1990 to 1992, when he entered the 1993 NFL Draft and was picked up as the 10th overall selection by the Los Angeles Rams. After three seasons and the Rams’ move to St. Louis, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he remained until he retired in 2005 right after the Steelers’ Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
Betts is in the top 10 of the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 13,662 yards. He also has 94 touchdowns, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He is currently an analyst on ESPN and a corporate spokesperson, according to his official biography.
Bettis and his family live in Atlanta, but also have a home in Pittsburgh.
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Through the years Jerome Bettis #36, Running Back for the St. Louis Rams runs the ball during the National Football Conference West game against the New Orleans Saints on 10 September 1995 at the Busch Stadium, St.Louis, Missouri, United States. The Rams won the game 17 - 213. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Allsport/Getty Images) (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis #36, Running Back for the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by Corey Miller #57, Michael Strahan #92 and Keith Hamilton #75 of the New York Giants as he tries to run the ball during their National Football Conference West game on 16 October 1994 at the Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California, United States. The Rams won the game 17 - 10. (Photo by Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images) (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis #6, Running Back for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the NCAA Independent Conference college football game against the University of Michigan Wolverines on 15 September 1990 at the Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Notre Dame won the game 28 - 24. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images) (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Through the years Rick Mirer #3, Quarterback for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish hands the ball off to Running Back Jerome Bettis during the NCAA Western Athletic Conference college football game against the Air Force Falcons on 13th October 1990 at the Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Notre Dame won the game 35 - 34. (Photo by John Swart/Allsport/Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis #6, Running Back for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the NCAA Western Athletic Conference college football game against the Air Force Falcons on 13 October 1990 at the Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Notre Dame won the game 35 - 34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images) (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Through the years 12 Sep 1993: Running back Jerome Bettis of the Los Angeles Rams moves the ball during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Rams won the game, 27-0. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Through the years 2 Oct 1994: Running back Jerome Bettis of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Falcons won the game, 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis #36, Running Back for the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the American Football Conference Championship game against the Denver Broncos on 11 January 1998 at the Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, United States. The Broncos won the game 24 - 21. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Through the years Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hands-off the ball to Jerome Bettis #36 during the game against the Washington Redskins on November 28, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 16-7. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis of the Pittsburgh Steelers poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Getty Images) (NFL Photos/Getty Images /NFL via Getty Images)
Through the years Pittsburgh Steelers Jerome Bettis runs in for a one-yard score against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 13, 2005. (Photo by Sean Brady/NFLPhotoLibrary) (Sean Brady/Getty Images)
Through the years Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Championship Game on January 22, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers hold up a sign that read 'We are taking "The Bus" 36 to Detroit' after the Steelers defeated the Denver Broncos 34-17 to advance to the Super Bowl during the AFC Championship Game January 22, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis during Steelers media day for Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on January 31, 2006. (Photo by G. N. Lowrance/NFLPhotoLibrary) (G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images)
Through the years Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs out onto the field first as his team is introduced before the start of Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (Harry How/Getty Images)
Through the years Steelers Jerome Bettis during Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on February 5, 2006. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Through the years Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks for room to run against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Through the years Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers leaps over Michael Boulware #28 of the Seattle Seahawks while carrying the football in the third quarter in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years Ben Roethlisberger and Jerome Bettis of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on February 5, 2006. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) (Al Messerschmidt/NFL)
Through the years Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates on the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. Bettis announced his retirement after the Steelers defeated the Seahawks 21-10. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (Harry How/Getty Images)
Through the years Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on February 5, 2006. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images) (Allen Kee/NFL)
Through the years Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. Bettis announced his retirement after the Steelers defeated the Seahawks 21-10. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis poses with his bust during the NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 8, 2015 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Through the years Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis looks on during warmups prior to the start of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Through the years Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis addresses fans at Heinz Field during a ceremony for the presentation of his Hall of Fame ring during halftime of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 1, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Through the years Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis spends time on the field before the start of the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on November 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Through the years Jerome Bettis (L) and Ray Lewis pose with the trophy after the AFC defeated the NFC 20 to 13 during the NFL Pro Bowl at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on January 29, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Through the years NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis looks on from the sidelines before the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on October 22, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Through the years NFL Hall of Fame member Jerome Bettis plays a shot on the 16th hole during the "Golf With a Purpose" Charity Challenge at East Lake Golf Club on September 03, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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