Jerome Bettis injury story gives new book appeal

Filed in archive on August 24, 2007

Courtesy WSOCTV.com

Former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Jerome Bettis had a colorful NFL career, and now he has a new book that tells all about it.

Bettis isn't coming out of the closet or ratting out a teammate for steroid use - at least these aren't the point-of-sale stories being used to promote his new book.

In true Bettis fashion, the story he's telling is of faking an injury in training camp, just so he wouldn't be cut from the team.

Bettis the football player and the person was always smiling. When cameras showed him on the sidelines or when he was bowling in some charity event (Bettis is a terrific bowler), that toothy grin was omnipresent.

In the injury anecdote, Bettis chuckles about what a great acting job he did. I can just see this mammoth, cuddly running back, crying in agony, while clutching his knee, while that trademark smile was hiding behind his Football helmet.

Bettis' act didn't hurt the team. It was an ingenious move to keep him from being cut. In fact, he ran for over 1,300 yards that year.

Jerome Bettis always gave us wonderful play, and now that he's gone from the game, he's still giving us laughs.

His book is due next month.