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          NFL Nation

          Former Steelers RB Jerome Bettis selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

          • Scott Brown, ESPN Pittsburgh Steelers reporterJan 31, 2015, 08:40 PM ET
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            • Covered Steelers for six years for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
            • Author of five books, including "Heaven Sent: The Heather Miller Story," which highlights the friendship a young girl with cancer developed with several Steelers players
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          Jerome Bettis, the latest Pittsburgh Steeler to get voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, set a franchise record with 50 100-yard rushing games.

          “The Bus” all but predicted his final one in November, 2005 -- in his own inimitable way -- as former Steelers right guard Kendall Simmons recalled Saturday night on his Twitter account.

          Bettis rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns at snowy Heinz Field, running over Chicago Bears running back Brian Urlacher in the process. Bettis led the Steelers to a 21-9 victory that day, starting a run in which Pittsburgh won eight consecutive games on the way to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title since 1979.

          Bettis, who is sixth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list (13,662 yards), built another bridge to the dynastic teams of the 1970s when he made the Hall of Fame on his fifth attempt -- and two weeks before he celebrates his 43rd birthday.

          Bettis joins Franco Harris as the only Pittsburgh running backs who played after the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to make the Hall of Fame. He is the 23rd Steelers player, coach or owner to make it to Canton, Ohio, and his value to one of the NFL’s most storied franchises transcended his production.

          Bettis became one of the best leaders in franchise history and the Steelers unofficially retired his No. 36 after Bettis called it a career following the 2005 season.

          Nothing better showed how beloved the six-time Pro Bowler was among his teammates than wide receiver Hines Ward shedding tears in the aftermath of the Steelers’ loss to the New England Patriots in the 2004 AFC Championship Game.

          Ward became so overcome with emotion because he wanted the Steelers to win the Super Bowl for Bettis.

          The Steelers delivered that crowning achievement the following season in Bettis’ hometown of Detroit, and he announced his retirement right after the game.

          He received the highest individual award in football almost a decade later, one the Steelers felt was long overdue.