Keynote Speaker

Jerome “The Bus” Bettis is considered one of the best running backs in NFL history. He is fifth on the National Football League's all-time rushing list. In 1993, he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft as the 10th overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams. Bettis had a successful rookie season by winning co-rookie of the year, Rams MVP, and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year.

Bettis’ NFL career started in 1993 when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round, tenth player picked overall in the Draft. As a player for the Rams, Jerome’s first year in the NFL proved to be a monumental one. He finished second in the league in rushing yards, was named The National Football League’s “Rookie of the Year”, and earned the Rams M.V.P. Award. Jerome finished the season with the seventh best rookie rushing total in league history and fourth highest single season rushing total in Rams history.

In 1996, in what has been called the “Trade of the Decade”, Bettis’ was traded in a Draft day trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, for two Second Round Draft picks. The first time up against the Rams he rushed for 220 yards. Mr. Bettis was named Steelers MVP in 1996 & 1997. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2005.

In 1997, Jerome Bettis Enterprises (J.B.E.) was established. J.B.E. is a full-service sports marketing firm, which Jerome used to introduce his own line of apparel, manage his endorsements and produced his website, www.thebus36.com. Bettis has been involved in a plethora of marketing campaigns including Nike, Ford, and EA Sports. He has a partnership with pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, where they have teamed up to start an Asthma awareness campaign that focuses on Asthma education and awareness. Jerome also founded The “Bus Stops Here” Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. He has established a scholarship program for seniors graduating from his former high school, McKenzie High, and he hosts the legendary Reggie McKenzie Football Camp every summer, where he was formally a camper.

In 2001, Bettis moved among the NFL's elite running backs, becoming only the 12th runner to compile more than 10,000 rushing yards and was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. 2001 was not only a successful year for Bettis on the field, but it also was a very inspiring year off the field as well. Although hampered by an injury late in the season, Jerome continued to be a strong force in the locker room and on the sideline. He provided guidance to the younger players and helped lead the Steelers to an AFC Central Division Championship. His popularity never diminished, even after missing almost a third of the season, Jerome was the 2nd leading vote getter for the AFC’s Pro Bowl team. The Bus also continued his campaign for community involvement with continued support of various programs and endless work by his Foundation. He was acknowledged by the league for his work and named “2002 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year”.

After the Steelers' defeat in the 2004 AFC Championship Game on January 23, 2005, Bettis announced that he was considering retirement, but would not make a final decision for several months to prevent the sting of the defeat from clouding his judgment. Later, Bettis agreed to stay with the Steelers for another season. He stated he would love to play in the Super Bowl in 2006, since it will be played in his hometown of Detroit. His dream came true as the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL (40) by a score of 21 to 10. This was The Bus’ last game. When asked by Mike Tirico of ABC sports if it was over, Jerome said "It's been an incredible ride and there's always a time when you have to call it quits." Bettis continued, "I played this game to win a championship. I'm a champion and I think The Bus...The Bus’s last stop is here in Detroit."

"That's the greatest feeling in the world, to actually have an opportunity to hold that Lombardi Trophy, and not hold it because somebody gave it to you. You hold that trophy because you earned it and you won it. That's the most amazing feeling in the world. It's a feeling I've been waiting for 13 years and I'm just glad I was able to come back and hoist that trophy and take it back to Pittsburgh." - Jerome Bettis

As the last of the congratulations are pouring in, and the Steelers are preparing to defend their Super Bowl Championship, The Bus is gearing up to travel down a new road. Immediately following the ring ceremony in Pittsburgh, Bettis will leave the field and head to the analyst’s booth where he will begin his new career with his new team, NBC Sports, as he becomes a football analyst for Football Night in America, NBC’s Sunday night National Football Game.

“It won’t be difficult at all,” Bettis said during a conference call to talk about his career move. “The nature of this business is to call it as you see it. If you look at my track record in Pittsburgh, I’ve always told the truth. Honesty is the best policy. If a guy is not playing well, he knows it. I’m just telling the truth. As long as I call it like I see it, I’ll be fine.”