Jerome Bettis ran like the nickname: a 250-pound back who took on tacklers instead of avoiding them, and who turned a decade of Pittsburgh winters into one of the great late-career stories in NFL history. The Bus spent 1993 with the Rams, then 10 seasons with the Steelers, and finished his career by lifting the Lombardi Trophy in his hometown. A Jerome Bettis jersey is the jersey of a Pittsburgh era, the black and gold ground game that carried the team through the 1990s and into the 2005 title run. This guide covers every No. 36 style we carry, the difference between the FUSE releases and the Salute to Service editions, and how to pick the right one for you.
Why Jerome Bettis is a Steelers legend
Bettis was drafted 10th overall in 1993 out of Notre Dame by the Los Angeles Rams, and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year with 1,429 rushing yards. After three seasons in St. Louis the Rams traded him to Pittsburgh, where he became the centerpiece of the offense for a decade. He ran for over 1,000 yards in six of his first seven seasons with the Steelers, made six Pro Bowls, and was named first-team All-Pro twice.
He finished his career with 13,662 rushing yards and 91 rushing touchdowns, one of the highest totals in league history, and he was the rare power back who could also catch the ball out of the backfield. The final chapter was 2005: a diminished role in the regular season, then a playoff run that ended with a 21-10 win over Seattle in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, his hometown. He retired after the game with a ring in hand.
What number did Jerome Bettis wear?
Jerome Bettis wore No. 36 for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1996 through 2005, and he wore the same number with the Los Angeles Rams from 1993 to 1995. The number is remembered in Pittsburgh's black and gold, the colorway he wore for the Super Bowl XL season. Every Bettis jersey on Rivalries Jersey is a stitched jersey with sewn numbers, a sewn nameplate and a No. 36 in the Steelers block font, all priced at $69.95. The lineup has three groups: the black 2023 FUSE Smoke jerseys and the Black Rush jersey, the white 2023 FUSE Smoke and the classic White jersey, and the 2022 Olive Salute to Service release. If you want the black-and-gold look most fans picture, start with the black FUSE Smoke. If you want the colorway connected to the title season, the Olive Salute to Service is the one.
Every Jerome Bettis jersey style we carry
The No. 36 lineup is built around black and gold, with one military tribute release. Every style is stitched, every style is $69.95, and the fit is the same across all of them.
| Version | Color | Detail | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black 2023 FUSE Smoke | Black | FUSE build with smoke graphic treatment | Everyday game-day wear |
| White 2023 FUSE Smoke | White | Away colorway, same FUSE cut | Fans who prefer white jerseys |
| Black Rush | Black | Rush-style limited build | A second black jersey with a different look |
| 2022 Olive Salute to Service | Olive | Military tribute release | Salute to Service collections |
| Black or White classic | Black or white | Cleaner, less graphic build | Fans who want the plain team look |
Which Jerome Bettis jersey should a Steelers fan buy?
For a first purchase, the Black 2023 FUSE Smoke is the pick: it is the modern black-and-gold look, the FUSE build is the one most fans associate with current Steelers merchandise, and it reads instantly on game day. If you already own a black jersey, the White 2023 FUSE Smoke gives you a second option that still says Pittsburgh. Collectors should go for the 2022 Olive Salute to Service, because military tribute releases are made in smaller runs and this one ties to the era after Bettis's career. The Black Rush jersey is the choice if you want a limited build that looks different from the standard black jersey, and the plain Black or White classic is the safest option if you prefer a jersey with no graphic treatment at all.
If you are building out a Steelers set, our Ben Roethlisberger jersey guide covers the quarterback who handed Bettis the ball in Super Bowl XL, and the Troy Polamalu jersey guide covers the defense from the same title team. Every No. 36 style sits in the Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys collection.
Fit and care for a stitched No. 36
These jerseys use a standard athletic cut, so order your normal size and go up one size only if you want to layer under it. Cold weather in Pittsburgh is a real factor, and these jerseys layer well over a hoodie. Wash cold and inside out on a delicate cycle, hang to dry, and keep the dryer and the iron away from the numbers and nameplate. Stitched tackle twill puckers when it gets hot, which is the whole reason for those two rules. Youth and women's sizes follow the same chart, so compare a jersey that fits today if you are between sizes.
What number did Jerome Bettis wear?
He wore No. 36 with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1996 to 2005 and with the Los Angeles Rams from 1993 to 1995.
Did Jerome Bettis win a Super Bowl?
Yes. He won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers after the 2005 season, beating Seattle 21-10 in Detroit, and he retired after that game.
Is the Jerome Bettis jersey stitched?
Yes. Every No. 36 style we carry is a stitched jersey with sewn numbers and a sewn nameplate.
Does the Bettis jersey fit true to size?
Yes, in a standard athletic cut. Size up once if you want room for a hoodie underneath.
