Bettis was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended Mackenzie High School, where he was an All-State selection in football and basketball. He then attended the University of Notre Dame, where he was a two-time All-American selection.
Bettis was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL Draft. He was the tenth overall pick and the first running back taken. He spent three seasons with the Rams before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996.
In Pittsburgh, Bettis quickly established himself as one of the best running backs in the league. He was selected to the Pro Bowl six times and was named an All-Pro four times. He was also named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1996.
Bettis was known for his powerful running style and his ability to break tackles. He was also an excellent blocker and receiver out of the backfield. He finished his career with 13,662 rushing yards, which ranks fifth all-time, and 91 rushing touchdowns, which ranks sixth all-time.
Bettis retired after the 2005 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. He is remembered as one of the most successful and beloved players in NFL history.
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