Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis has been appointed to the board of directors of the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, it announced on Tuesday.
The company is developing the area around the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, to be called Hall of Fame Village. The $900 million projected completed phase one of construction in 2022, with a second phase planned.
“I am truly honored to be a part of the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Board of Directors,” Bettis said in a press release. “As a former player, I understand the impact that football has on the lives of fans, and I am excited to contribute to the growth and development of this incredible organization.
“It is a privilege to be involved in shaping the future of Hall of Fame Village and its commitment to providing unforgettable experiences, and I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to preserve the rich legacy of football and create new opportunities for generations to come.”
Bettis finished his career in 2005 with 13,662 yards, at that time fifth in NFL history and still the eighth-most ever. After Bettis’ final regular season, the Steelers won Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan, with Bettis retiring on stage as a champion. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
There have been 32 Steelers players voted into the Hall of Fame since the inaugural class in 1963, tied for the third-most of any NFL team. The last Steelers to be enshrined were scout Bill Nunn and guard Alan Faneca in 2021 and coach Bill Cowher and safeties Troy Polamalu and Donnie Shell in 2022.
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