Many know Jerome Bettis as an American Football Hall of Fame running back. Bettis played running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1993 to 2005.  He was known as “The Bus” because of his bigger stature compared to former running backs and his ability to just bulldoze people over.  He was a two-time MVP and two-time Offensive Player of the Year for the Steelers. Before his tenure in Pittsburgh, Bettis attended the University of Notre Dame. He played and starred for the Irish in his 3 years before getting drafted.  What many do not know is that Bettis left the college with 4 courses needed in order to graduate.  He never took these courses because he was playing in the NFL. That was, until the Fall 2022 semester at Notre Dame. 

In August of 2022, during the fall semester at Notre Dame, Jerome Bettis decided to finish his last semester of college and get his degree from Notre Dame. Jerome had left the university nearly 30 years ago.  The Hall of Famer promised his mother and grandmother that he would get his degree from college no matter what, and he did just that. A few weeks ago, at Notre Dame’s spring graduation, Jerome graduated with a degree in Notre Dame’s Business College of Mendoza. Nearly 30 years and a couple of MVPs and OPOYs later, “The Bus”, did in fact, get his degree.

Congrats to Mr. Bettis!