Nov 29 2006
Johnnie Bettis, RIP
Sad news to report this morning. Johnnie Bettis, the father of retired Steeler running back Jerome Bettis, died yesterday after suffering a heart attack. From the article:
Johnnie Bettis worked as an electrician for the city of Detroit. He and his wife, Gladys, attended every one of their son’s regular-season and postseason games, dating back to ninth grade.
They had a dinner for the Steelers at their home four days before the Super Bowl and hosted about 65 people in their home for a Thanksgiving dinner in 1998 when Pittsburgh played the Detroit Lions, a game remembered for a botched coin flip in overtime with Jerome Bettis as a captain.
When their son offered to buy them a new home, the Bettises spurned the suburbs and moved about six miles to a house on the city’s west side, trying to lead a normal life.
“When Jerome found out we were going to the laundromat, he said that wasn’t acceptable and told us to go get a new washer and dryer,” Johnnie Bettis said a few days before the Super Bowl. “But I kind of liked the laundromat because you get to meet so many interesting people.”
Funny, but that’s the same reason I prefer to go to sports bars to watch football. Rest in peace, Mr. Bettis, and thanks for raising a good kid.
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