All The Smoke

Jerome Bettis: “Lord, If This Is How You Want My Career to End.”

October 8, 2026·1h 6m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis pulls up on ALL THE SMOKE. The Bus wasn't even a football kid: he grew up in Detroit bowling alleys and learned to play tailback in one week because Lou Holtz didn't trust his freshmen. He takes Matt and Stak inside his rookie year in LA, what Michael Jordan told him after he shot 102 on the golf course and the prayer he said on the bench after the fumble in Indy. Hear the real story behind the Thanksgiving coin toss, how a pregame fight launched James Harrison's career, and why he played in a Super Bowl for free. This one is a reminder of who kept The Bus on the road. 00:00:00 - Michael Jordan golf story 00:04:44 - Linebacker to tailback in one week 00:11:55 - Bowling was his first love 00:14:45 - The coach who told his parents everything 00:22:07 - Off the field life in LA 00:27:55 - Steelers legends: Bill Cowher, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison 00:36:51 - The infamous Thanksgiving coin toss 00:40:39 - AD Break: DraftKings Sports, Street Fighter 00:41:49 - The fumble and the prayer on the bench 00:45:50 - Playing in the Super Bowl for free 00:50:03 - Retiring on television 00:52:25 - Getting into oil and gas business by accident 00:54:48 - Why he’s donating his brain to CTE research 00:57:36 - Quick hitters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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