Jerome Bettis

Jerome ready for the snap (www.google.com)

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." My hero is Jerome Abram Bettis, aka “The Bus”. He was born February 16, 1972 in Detroit, Michigan. He played high school football at Mackenzie High School and played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He was drafted in 1993 by the Los Angeles Rams. Then in 1996 he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jerome and I have some things in common, for example we both have lived in Michigan, play football and we both have asthma. Jerome once said “Even the hardest hitting players in the National Football League cannot take my breath away like asthma. I have felt the effects of uncontrolled asthma firsthand, and patients should know they don't have to let asthma stop them. That's why educating Americans about asthma control is so important to me." He encourages young people like me not to let asthma stop me from the things I love to do. He never let asthma get in his way, I also intend to do the same.

(www.google.com)

Jerome was diagnosed with asthma when he was 14 after passing out and being rushed to the hospital during his high school football practice in Detroit. I have suffered asthma attacks before when I was younger but as the years go by my asthma has gotten better and better. Jerome started “The Bus Stops Here” Foundation to help improve life for troubled and underprivilaged children. I would like to make a foundation to help people with their asthma because I know what it's like to have asthma and it's not very pleasant.

He has made a difference in my life by making me realize that I can push aside the things that get in my way, like asthma. He also made me a better football player, I realized to never give up and don’t let obstacles get in my way. He has made a dramatic change in my life and I hope he can do the same for many other young teens around the world.