Pittsburgh is having a tough week.
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost again, making them a pathetic 4-7. It is a sad day when the Ravens are good and the Steelers suck. Star players Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu are both out this week for knee injuries. Ward was Superbowl MVP last year and Troy, my favorite player, has been to the Pro Bowl four times. Now, as a cherry on top of a crappy season, former Steeler running back and future Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis has lost his father.
Johnie Bettis and his wife, Gladys, went to each and every Steelers game (actually every game since he was a freshman in high school) while Bettis was playing, rain or shine. Bettis retired last year after his "storybook ending" — winning his first Super Bowl. Bettis is now a studio analyst for NBC.
Johnie was on his way home in Detroit, where the Super Bowl was held last year. He was returning from the gym. He felt horrible, so he pulled over on the side of the road. He had a heart attack there. A unknown motorist pulled over and performed CPR. A nurse and a doctor stopped and tried to help before the paramedics could have come.
Johnie was rushed to a local hospital, Huron Valley Sinai Hospital. He had no pulse at the time. It was not enough to save him and he was pronouced dead at 12:58 p.m. He was 61. He had no signs of heart problems, so his death comes a shock.
My heart goes out to the Bettis family and the rest of the Steelers. It's horrible to have family pass away during the holidays. At the very least, he got to see Jerome win the Super Bowl.
The funeral is open to the public. The funeral is on Dec. 4. You many also donate flowers or money for flowers to the Bettis family.
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