DETROIT – There will be no more Bus rides for Jerome Bettis.
“It’s been an incredible ride,” Bettis said after the Steelers got one for the thumb and one for their Hall of Fame running back after 13 long years of trying with a 21-10 victory over the Seahawks.
“Mission accomplished. I have to bid farewell.”
The Bus threw a crushing block on the controversial play where the officials ruled Ben Roethlisberger scored from the one-yard line to give the Steelers a 7-3 lead, and was 14-43 rushing.
“I told him I wouldn’t go cry for him this year,” Hines Ward said. “He went out as a champion.”
For once, Gladys and John Bettis, who have seen virtually every one of his games, didn’t have to travel very far to watch The Bus. They could have taken a bus to watch their son one last time at Ford Field.
“He’s what’s right about the National Football League; he’s a very inspiring individual,” Bill Cowher said.
“We weren’t gonna let him leave without it,” Joey Porter said.
There were tears and cheers for The Bus as he held the Lombardi Trophy high atop the podium at midfield. Hugs from mom.
Asked where a Super Bowl victory would rank in his personal life, The Bus had said: “I think No. 1, because everything that you do individually does not measure up to what you do collectively as a team. For me to win this game, it means we are champions.”