Seau, Bettis among 6 inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

He said Seau’s death after a high-profile 20-year career and his work in the community had cast the NFL in an uncomfortable spotlight.

Sydney Seau noted her father was the first Polynesian and Samoan to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

CANTON, OH- The Bus pulled into football immortality Saturday night amid a sea of “Terrible Towels” that gave the Pro Football Hall of Fame a decidedly western Pennsylvania feel. He should have been in Canton with his family and friends, celebrating a career so rare it has only 294 peers, the 294 men he joined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

CTE does a lot of stuff to its victims, but depression, dementia and descent into the darkness of the loss of self are prime symptoms. “You have to show these guys what real football fans look like”. “Congratulations, you made it”. “We had the support of the best football fans in the world”.

There was no wondering for Bettis, who wasn’t shy about his desire to follow in the footsteps of other Steeler greats already in the Hall.

– former NFL executives Bill Polian and Ron Wolf. “… I think he needs consideration as well”.

While his yards-per-carry diminished late in his career, Bettis remained a viable short-yardage back. “But I could never stand here and accept all the credit for my success, so please understand that this night is not about me, but it’s about all of those who have impacted my life”. “It’s about all of those who impacted my life.”. “People are recognizing that nowadays and showing their appreciation”. Wounds in the Vietnam War that should have ended his career only served as an obstacle for this tough, too-small-for-the-NFL running back to overcome. The Raiders had winning seasons of all but six years during his Raiders tenure. So did actor Joe Manganiello of Mt. Lebanon. Postgame, standing on the podium on the field in his hometown, holding a championship trophy that he was a big part of winning, and announcing his retirement to an adoring national television audience.

As for Shell, he should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago. He saw I had everyone else’s autograph and he made sure to come back over to me before heading down the jetway. But Mr. Bettis did not forget him.

He gave special thanks to Roethlisberger, whose touchdown-saving tackle following a Bettis fumble in a playoff game in Indianapolis helped the team advance to win the Super Bowl in his final season.

“My dad was my hero”. “He taught me how to be a man. He had two jobs and he worked to the bone, never complaining, never asking for a break, all that while supporting three children”. During a broadcast last week, Jemele Hill of ESPN called the Hall’s refusal to let Sydney speak “incredibly heartless, because what’s the downside of this?”

As for Bettis’ ability to accept a role, Cowher attempted to replace him on several occasions, first with Huntley, then with Amos Zereoue, then Duce Staley, and finally Willie Parker. You were everything. I don’t have much to give you, but I have a good name.

In addition to thanking his wife, Trameka, and two kids – Jada and Jerome Jr.

Only Parker, who by that time was playing with a 33-year-old Bettis, made it stick. Gladys Bettis was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 months ago. “I know for a fact he would say this honor is also yours”. “She handled it like a champion”. Thanks for getting me through a tough evening, Mr. Bettis.

This was a Pittsburgh Steelers home game. Shell also won four Super Bowls as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 70s. He played in 4 total games and started 2.

“We did go to battle sometimes on the field”, Bettis said. Sydney silenced the crowd of 21,000 with a brief address, ending with: “Dad, I love you and I miss you”.

After Seau died of a gunshot wound to his chest – after sending his family members a text message declaring, “I love you”, – it was suspected that he chose to take his life in that manner in order to preserve his brain for study.

“I think about the standard that he kept with the Steelers, year-in, year -out, losing five, seven, 10 players every year, but to continue to keep that franchise right there”, Bettis said.