Will replace Patriots RB Dillon for AFC
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It was one thing to begin the season in a backup role and end as the team's leading rusher. It was another to agree to a nearly $2.7 million pay cut and end up posting seven 100-yard rushing games.
But, in a season of amazing circumstances, Jerome Bettis might have saved his greatest performance for last:
Getting named to the AFC Pro Bowl team.
The NFL will announce today that Bettis has been added to the all-star squad as a replacement for New England running back Corey Dillon, who had to withdraw from the Pro Bowl because of an injury received in the Patriots' 24-21 victory Sunday against Philadelphia in Super Bowl XXXIX.
"Super cool," Bettis said last night. "It's gratifying because of the sacrifices you make for a team game, and to be recognized for that by your peers and the football community, it's very humbling."
Dillon was added to the team last week after Indianapolis' Edgerrin James pulled out because of a back injury that happened during the regular season.
Bettis will be making his sixth Pro Bowl appearance -- four with the Steelers, two with the Rams.
"Going to the Super Bowl last week and seeing all the players, your competitors, congratulate me on the season, that was impressive," Bettis said. "To play in the Pro Bowl, that's special."
The addition of Bettis, who was 12th in the AFC with 941 rushing yards, brings to nine the number of Steelers who will participate in the Pro Bowl game Sunday at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. It is the most players since the Steelers had 10 in the 1979 Pro Bowl.
In addition, Bill Cowher and his coaching staff will coach the AFC team, a consolation for losing the conference championship game to the Patriots. Jim Mora and the Atlanta Falcons staff will coach the NFC team.
"It will be really special because of what you had to endure to get here," Bettis said. "You were pretty much off the radar screen to start the season and to be off the radar screen and become a blip is pretty special."
Bettis, who has two years remaining on his contract, agreed to take a pay cut of nearly $2.7 million from $3,757,000 to remain with the Steelers this season in a reduced role.
But after Duce Staley's hamstring was injured in an Oct. 31 victory against the Patriots, Bettis stepped in and rushed for 100 or more yards in each of his next seven starts, including a playoff victory against the Jets. The only start in which he didn't rush for more than 100 yards was in the 41-27 AFC title game loss to the Patriots, when he had 64 yards on 17 carries.
"At the end of the day, that's what you have to look at, regardless of the situation you're in -- always be ready," Bettis said. "It can be a good teaching tool, as well, because you're able to tell young players you got to be ready, too, just look at that guy, No. 36.
"He didn't look like he would be asked to do much this season, but when the opportunity came he was ready for it."
The Steelers had six players voted to the team -- guard Alan Faneca, center Jeff Hartings, wide receiver Hines Ward, safety Troy Polamalu and linebackers James Farrior and Joey Porter. Faneca was the only player voted a starter, though Farrior will be a starter, too, because Baltimore's Ray Lewis will miss the game because of an injury.
Two more Steelers players were added to the AFC team because of injuries -- defensive end Aaron Smith and left tackle Marvel Smith. They replaced New York Jets defensive end John Abraham (knee) and Kansas City tackle Willie Roaf (ankle).
Bettis said he will fit right in with the rest of his teammates.
"It's not like I have to do much to get ready," he said. "I know the offense."
(Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1466.)
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