Jerome Bettis

POSITION: Running back VITALS: 6-feet-1, 235 pounds

HIS LEGACY: Nicknamed “The Bus,” Bettis was as good a linebacker as he was a running back in high school, although bowling was his favorite sport as a kid. He was rated the top prospect on Mick McCabe’s Fab 50 — and ended up winning a Super Bowl in his hometown and earning a bust in Canton, Ohio.

AT MACKENZIE: In 1989, a knockout ground attack with Bettis at fullback and Walter Smith at tailback led the Stags to the PSL’s west division title and their first berth in the state playoffs. Bettis gained 1,365 yards on 123 carries — 11.1 yards a carry — and scored 14 touchdowns. He batted down nine passes as a middle linebacker. Still, he knew his role: “It’s to provide the dirty yards. Those are the grind-’em-out yards where you only get two or three a crack. That’s when you really earn the yards — when you’re in the trenches.” Coach Bob Dozier said: “He’s a bear of a football player. Jerome is exceptionally fast, unusually strong and very durable.”

IN COLLEGE: Bettis picked Norte Dame over Michigan. As a sophomore, he scored a school-record 23 touchdowns — 19 rushing, four receiving — and totaled 1,328 yards from scrimmage. Instead of two or three yards a crack, he averaged 6.1 a carry and 10.8 a catch. As a junior, he topped 1,000 yards again — and decided to turn pro.

IN THE PROS: The Los Angeles Rams selected Bettis with the 10th pick in 1993. Earning a new nickname — the Battering Ram — he made All-Pro with 1,429 rushing yards and won the offensive rookie of the year award. He made the Pro Bowl in 1994. After a down year, he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he rushed for 1,431 yards, made All-Pro again and was voted comeback player of the year. He spent his last 10 seasons in Pittsburgh, with six 1,000yard seasons and four Pro Bowls. He retired after the 2005 season with 13,662 yards — fifth all-time — and 91 touchdowns. His last game came at Ford Field in Super Bowl XL, when the Steelers beat Seattle, 21-10. He gained 43 yards on 14 carries. “To hear the ovation from the crowd,” he said, “and to hear people I grew up with cheering for me in the Super Bowl, it was incredible. … I’m a champion, and I think The Bus’ last stop is here in Detroit.” Bettis made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 — the first enshrined who was born, raised and played in the Motor City. “The experience of growing up in Detroit,” he said in his induction speech, “helped give me the character necessary to push myself as hard as I did as a football player.”

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW: To benefit The Bus Stops Here Foundation, Bettis staged the Jerome Bettis Superbowling Extravaganza at the Majestic Theatre Center during Super Bowl XL week in February 2016, featuring music by Dwele, partying, dancing and plenty of bowling. “If you’re not averaging 200,” he said, “it’s going to be tough to beat me.”