Popular Podcast Host Detailed Steelers Great Jerome Bettis' Performance Against The Raiders In 2004 As His "Favorite Stat-Line Ever"

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Jerome Bettis, is one of the most unique players in the history of the National Football League. At 5'11" and over 250 pounds, Bettis was deservedly given the nickname of "The Bus" during his career and was a featured component of the Steelers' offense in the late 1990s/early 2000s. He was a 2015 Hall of Fame inductee and is currently the eighth all-time leading rusher in the history of the NFL. With the league transitioning to an era of teams placing heavy emphasis on throwing the ball down the field, it is safe to say that there will never be a player of Bettis' size at the running back position in the future. 

Bettis had a number memorable moments in his NFL career. From the infamous 1998 Thanksgiving day game against the Detroit Lions with the "heads-tails" coin toss, to him hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in his final ever game in Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks, the former running back had a career that will never be forgotten. While these games are what many people think of whenever they hear Bettis' name, there is another game, more specifically a stat-line that deserves recognition for a much more different reason. 

This specific moment took place in the Steelers' opening game of the 2004 season against the then-Oakland Raiders. An impressive performance from running back Duce Staley and outside linebacker Clark Haggans proved to be enough for the Steelers as they won the contest by a score of 24-21. However, the efforts from Staley and Haggans is not what the win was remembered by. That title would belong to Bettis, who racked up a whopping one yard rushing on five carries for three touchdowns. Yes, you read that correctly. One yard. Three touchdowns. 

A Performance Not Soon Forgotten For The Steelers' Hall Of Fame Running Back

Fortunately, Bettis' "historic" performance against the Raiders still comes up from time to time on various platforms. Most recently, it came up during a recent episode of Barstool Sports wildly successful podcast, Pardon My Take. During a segment in which the group was discussing a list of the all-time greatest running backs in the history of the league, Bettis' name, as well as his 2004 performance against the Raiders, was discussed by the show's co-host, PFT Commenter. 

"If you were to take the best stat-lines from any one game of all-time in NFL history, the game where Jerome Bettis had three touchdowns for one yard rushing, that is my favorite stat-line ever," said PFT Commenter.

While there is an obvious sense of sarcasm in the comment, it is worth something that Bettis' name is still brought up in these types of conversations. The former Steelers' running back was an absolute wrecking ball in the prime of his career, compiling six consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns spanning from 1996 to 2001. He was a nightmare to bring down for opposing defenses and will forever be known as one of the most beloved players in the history of Pittsburgh sports. 

A Legend In The Steel City

Regardless of where Bettis is ranked among the list of greatest of all-time, his impact to the Steelers' organization and city of Pittsburgh is immeasurable. His downhill, tough style of running the football was an embodiment of the attitude in which the team played with during this era. Needless to say, there is no player more deserving of winning a Super Bowl title in his final game than #36. Fans should be thankful if they were fortunate enough to see him play, because there was and only ever will be one Bettis. 

Do you remember the 2004 game in which Bettis scored three touchdowns on one rushing yard? What are your other favorite moments from his career? Be sure to let us know down in the comments! 

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