Throwback Thursday: Steelers buy-in on riding ‘The Bus’
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series as we revisit these moments.
In the National Football League, the term “bell cow” has traditionally referred to a team utilizing a single back as their primary ball-carrier, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have fielded a few. In recent seasons, they moved to a committee assault out of their offensive backfield to propel the run game. In 1997, the Steelers bought into the game plan of riding ‘The Bus’ to a victorious season.
Becoming a Steeler
In 1996, the Steelers traded for Jerome Bettis, the 10th overall 1993 NFL Draft selectee of the Los Angeles Rams, on draft day (April 20) in exchange for a third-round pick that year and a second- and fourth-round pick in 1997. The team desperately needed a primary ball-carrier due to legal issues Bam Morris got himself into that led to his removal from the team.
That season, Bettis rejuvenated the Steelers run game, but he would truly make himself well known in Pittsburgh and across the league during his second season in the black and gold.
The big second year in Pittsburgh
The Steelers fielded Kordell Stewart (25 years old), their multi-talented quarterback, with Mike Tomczak (35) as backup in what would result – by the end of the 1997 NFL season – as the No. 1 ranked offense in the league. A major part of that success was due to the amount of trust head coach Bill Cowher, and his staff, had in letting Bettis carry the workload on the ground. Bettis was asked to carry the ball an NFL-high 375 times. That number of carries still ranks Bettis at No. 23 in league history per StatMuse.com.
Bettis’ biggest games that second year were in Weeks 2 (vs Redskins: 27 carries, 134 yards, 1 TD), 8 (vs Bengals: 34 carries, 135 yards, 1 TD), and 11 (vs Ravens: 24 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD).
Steelers vs Bengals (1997)
Week 8 pic.twitter.com/ZhIeewGlXF— Vintage NFL (@NFL_vintage) November 9, 2024
His best performance during the regular season was in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals. Bettis carried the ball 36 times for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Bettis finished that year with 1,165 yards rushing for 7 touchdowns; he ran for 94 1st downs, his longest run went for 34 yards, and he averaged 111.0 yards rushing per game. He earned a spot in the Pro Bowl, was named All-Pro, and received NFL MVP votes. He missed just one game (Week 17 against the Titans).
Related content:
- Fantasy Flashback: Jerome Bettis (1997)
- Jerome Bettis: By The Numbers
- Steelers Throwback Thursday: Jerome Bettis inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
New nickname, new future
Despite being called the “Battering Ram” with the Rams – a fitting name – Bettis’ breakout in Pittsburgh earned him a new nickname – “The Bus” – and a new future in the NFL. The Steelers buy-in on Bettis paid off in big ways.
NFL on CBS promo (1998)
ft. Jerome Bettis
Steelers vs Lions
Week 13 🦃 pic.twitter.com/MWH25ZlgBY— Vintage NFL (@NFL_vintage) March 16, 2022
Bettis finished his playing career with the Steelers, retiring following the Super Bowl XL victory in his hometown of Detroit (Michigan, Feb. 5, 2006) having carried the football 3,479 times for 13,662 yards and logged an incredible 91 touchdowns.
Aside from being named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1996, other notable awards Bettis received while a member of the Steelers were:
- Super Bowl champion (XL)
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2001)
- First-team All-Pro (1996)
- Second-team All-Pro (1997)
- Pro Bowl (1996, 1997, 2001, 2004)
- Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team
- Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
