| | By John Clayton
ESPN.com
LATROBE, Pa. -- Not since Franco Harris have Steeler fans enjoyed a more popular running back than Jerome Bettis.
|  | | Jerome Bettis says it's "50-50" he'll stay with the Steelers next season. |
They love "The Bus." They buy his name-sponsored food product. They bowl in his charity tournaments. They watch his commercials.
Through the latter part of the 1990s, he carried the Steelers offense. But at the supposedly young age of 28, The Bus is at a crossroads. He's in the last year of his contract. Despite four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, the Steelers won't be able to afford the $7 million price tag to keep him.
If his rushing average drops below the 3.6 yards per carry he had last year, he might not be invited back and the starting job goes to Richard Huntley.
"I don't worry about it because I know I can play football. That's my saving grace," Bettis said. "Do I want to be here? Yes. I will live in Pittsburgh after the game is over for me."
How does he rate his chances of staying beyond this year. He says "50-50."
"If you take the time to look at it, there is a direct correlation between my rushing numbers and my passing numbers," Bettis said. "My biggest year (1,665 yards in 1997) came when the passing game had a big year. My worst year is when the passing numbers were down.
"Nobody wants to recognize that. They want to say The Bus is not getting it done. If you got eight to 10 guys waiting for you, it's hard to get it done."
So this Bus needs some air support to have a safe transit through the season.
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