Lately, the world of football has seen quite a few cases of family legacies carrying on in the game. Just as Brenden Rice, son of the legendary Jerry Rice, announced his NFL draft aspirations, players like Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers and coach Kyle Shanahan pursued shared goals influenced by their fathers’ legacies.
Amid this backdrop, Jerome Bettis Jr. emerges onto the scene, poised to make his mark by following in the footsteps of his father, Jerome Bettis Sr., at Notre Dame.
Jerome Bettis Jr commits to Notre Dame
On St. Patrick’s Day, Jerome Bettis Jr. announced his verbal commitment to play college football at Notre Dame, following in his father’s footsteps in a decision that stirred both tradition and anticipation.
In a heartfelt video tribute shared on social media, Bettis Jr. reflected on his familial ties to Notre Dame while also expressing his desire to carve his own destiny.
“Some say it’s legacy to follow my father’s footsteps. Some say I should create my own destiny. Growing up as a Bettis, I’ve heard all about the ways Notre Dame can change your life academically and athletically.”
Bettis Jr.’s football journey began when he was just a kid, following in his father’s footsteps and wearing the famous No. 36 as a running back. However, as he grew older, he decided to make a change and become a wide receiver. He even switched jersey numbers to show his dedication to forging his own path and making a name for himself on the football field.
“One of the biggest things was changing my number, and so me really getting my number away from his, that was a big step for me realizing that at the end of the day, I’m my own man. I love my dad and I love everything that I guess comes with him being my father, but at the same time, I create my own legacy and my own journey,” he said, per Bleacher Report.
Meanwhile, he received offers from a myriad of esteemed programs, including Arkansas, Boston College, and Georgia Tech. Yet, he ultimately chose to embark on his collegiate journey at Notre Dame.
Jerome Bettis Sr.’s legacy at Notre Dame
Jerome Bettis Sr. left an indelible mark on the football field during his time at Notre Dame University. He started his college career as a fullback under the guidance of head coach Lou Holtz and quickly emerged as a standout player for the Fighting Irish.
In his sophomore year, the elder Bettis etched his name into Notre Dame’s record books by setting the touchdown record with an impressive 20 touchdowns in a single season. This remarkable feat included 16 rushing touchdowns and 4 receiving touchdowns.
During his time at Notre Dame, he ran for a total of 1,912 yards on 337 carries, with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. Also, he showed off his versatility with 32 receptions for 429 yards, averaging 13.4 yards per catch.
He really impressed the NFL scouts with his incredible performance at Notre Dame, which ultimately led to him being chosen as a first-round pick in the 1993 NFL draft. Once he made the jump to the pro level, Bettis kept building on his college achievements, eventually establishing himself as a true legend in the NFL.
Jerome Bettis Sr.’s impact at Notre Dame is still felt today, and now the spotlight is on his son, Jerome Bettis Jr., as he looks to make his own mark on the renowned football program. Having a legendary father to live up to, Bettis Jr. has quite the task ahead of him. However, his potential to carry on the family legacy knows no bounds.
