Jerome “The Bus” Bettis has one of the best and most recognizable nicknames. “The Bus” can hold up to other football greats like “Night Train,” “Hacksaw,” “Pepper,” “Hammer” and “Crazy Legs.”
In baseball we have had “Say Hey,” “Babe,” “A-Rod,” “Iron Horse” and “Joltin’ Joe.” Basketball has had monikers like “The Stilt,” “Magic,” “Iceman,” “The Dream,” “Clyde,” “Air,” “Pearl” and “Dr. J.” Sure, nicknames are colorful and gave each a certain aura, but the most important thing “The Bus” had in common with most of the above mentioned sports icons is that he is a superior athlete as evidenced by his selection to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (MSHOF).
“It is amazing to think of all the great athletes to come out of Detroit and Michigan,” Bettis said. “This is an incredible honor. Of course I knew about the Michigan Sports Hall, but I never aspired or planned on it. It kind of blindsided me.”
“I was sitting in my office and this polite young man came in and said he wants to play football,” former Mackenzie coach Bob Dozier recalled. “After he left I said, ‘Wow!’ He looked like a young Superman and he’s a honor student. His sophomore year I put him at middle guard and he was so physical and tough off the ball. The thing I like most about him was when his skill became evident, he remained patient. We had Walter Smith and he was getting it done.”
By his senior year, Bettis had gained recognition as a feature running back and linebacker. When it was time to select a college he chose Lou Holtz and Notre Dame.
Recalled former Mackenzie star linebacker Pepper Johnson, who went on to earn two Super Bowls rings with the New York Giants and three more as a coach with the New England Patriots: “I had heard Mackenzie had a running back that was special. Then I go to Reggie Mackenzie’s Camp and I’m coaching the linebackers and there was Jerome. I wanted him to stay at linebacker, because he could have been a great one. He might have had a different nickname, maybe ‘Ali’ because he would have knocked people out. I guess it all worked out with all he has accomplished.”
Dozier said Holtz first told Bettis that he wanted to use him on offense, but he had to lose weight. “But after he ran a 4.5, Holtz said, ‘He’s fine like he is,’” Dozier recalled. Indeed, Bettis was fine like he was. After a stellar career at Notre Dame he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams on the first round (10th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft. His rookie year he rushed for 1,429 yards, and was named All-Pro and Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Bettis’ rookie campaign jump started a 13-year career in which he toted the pigskin for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is generally acknowledged by football aficionados as one of the most elusive, powerful, big backs ever. He is fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 13,662 yards.
Said former Mackenzie teammate Gilbert Brown, who won a Super Bowl ring with Green Bay (1997): “When I first saw JB at Mackenzie he was kind of shy. But when he got out on the field there was ferociousness to him. I had the pleasure of blocking for him. Everyone in the PSL knew where we were going to run the ball. If I lined up right or left JB would be coming right over my side. It was amazing to see a back with his power and speed.
“I loved when we played against each other in the NFL. I’m with the Packers and he was with the Steelers and we were playing a Monday night game. I called him and told him I was going to knock his helmet off. During the game we met in the center of the hole and I was thinking he was coming with his power, but then he shook me.”
Lions Hall of Famer, Barry Sanders said, “When I think of JB I think of a great competitor you would love to do battle with. He was not a guy defenses wanted to see. He was a wrecking ball, powerful, but agile. I enjoyed watching JB play and the way he carried himself.”
About Post Author
