Bettis follows in dad’s footsteps, dedicates to Irish

• Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Personnel WriterMar 17, 2024, 10:02 AM ET

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  • Signed up with ESPN in 2011
  • Graduated from Central Michigan

It has been nearly 32 years given that Jerome Bettis played football for Notre Dame, however come 2025, a new Bettis will don the Combating Irish uniform.The Pro Football Hall of Famer’s son, Jerome Bettis Jr., announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Sunday and will follow in his father’s footsteps.Bettis is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect from Woodward Academy in Georgia, and he chose the Irish over Texas A&M, Duke and Ole Miss. He comprehends that betting Notre Dame will naturally bring comparisons to his dad, which he embraces, however he stated he also wants to create his own path.That journey began in youth football as a running back using the very same No. 36

his dad used. He said he changed positions to wide receiver in seventh grade and switched to No. 4 in eighth grade to go far for himself on his own merit.” Among the biggest things was altering my number, therefore me actually getting my number away from his, that was a big action for me recognizing that at the end of the day, I’m my own guy,”Bettis told ESPN.”I enjoy my dad and I enjoy everything that I think features him being my father, but at the same time, I produce my own legacy and my own journey.”Bettis said he still has a lot of respect for what his daddy achieved in his NFL profession, betting 12 years with the St. Louis Rams

and Pittsburgh Steelers. He stated he has actually taken that knowledge and experience his daddy brings and utilized it to his benefit to grow and learn.During the recruiting process, Bettis said he wished to ensure coaches understood that they were recruiting a different person and that they weren’t just hiring

him because of the last name on his jersey. That was something that immediately drew him to Notre Dame.”They made sure extremely at an early stage that it was understood they recruited me for me and not my father,” Bettis said. “They desired me to understand that they desire Jerome Bettis Jr. at Notre Dame

due to the fact that of what he can bring, not just because of what occurs with me and my name. That’s something that was actually essential to me, due to the fact that I wasn’t sure how they saw me and my daddy and the whole situation, so for them to assure me was great.”Bettis Sr. was involved in the procedure, however Bettis Jr. stated he made his own option. Bettis Sr. was delighted, however, when his boy told him that he would continue the household legacy at Notre Dame. “I saw the pros and cons and took it to my daddy and asked him what he thought about it and his thoughts on me making the decision,”Bettis said.”First, he wished to ensure

I was totally certain and after that, he was incredibly happy. Simply the initial response from him and the delight I might see on his face, that was something very special for me to witness.” The contrasts will exist because of the name and the uniform, however Bettis will line up at receiver and will play an entirely different role within the Irish offense. He is eagerly anticipating the chance to bring his ability to the Notre Dame offense. “They’re getting a bigger target that can make plays down the field,”Bettis said. “I can catch any ball that’s thrown my method. That, with the brand-new offense we’re going to see this year with Coach [Mike] Denbrock, is going to be exciting.”