Jerome Bettis expresses the importance of veteran mentorship for the Kansas City Chiefs

USA Today

02-07-2025

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis about his participation in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place July 9-13 at Edgewood Tahoe, and his thoughts on being a veteran mentor in the locker room and its relevance with the Kansas City Chiefs."Well, you always have a little bit (of competition), but the one I chop it up with is Larry Fitzgerald. I've known Larry since he was in college at Pitt (University of Pittsburgh). I was in Pittsburgh, so I've known him for a very long time," said Bettis, "So we always go at each other, and the American Century Championship is the time that we say, hey, between me and you, whoever wins, gets bragging rights. So he's the guy I look at and say, I gotta beat him."
Chiefs veterans Travis Kelce and Chris Jones have been labeled leaders in the locker room over the last few seasons, building up their respective position groups. Bettis recalled a story from early in his career that influenced his mentorship."Well, it came from my lack of help when drafted. We had a situation where I'm coming in as a rookie, and there was a running back who had a huge year the year before. They drafted me, and the veteran running back was upset. His name was Cleveland Gary, and he had a great career at the University of Miami. I just came off a big year with the (Los Angeles) Rams, and they drafted me. So obviously there was resentment there because he felt, hey, I did everything you asked me to do, and now you guys go and draft a replacement," said Bettis, "So he was upset, which I would have been, too, if I were in this position, What transpired after that was a lack of help. So I'm in that meeting room, and I understand, but it wasn't my fault. They drafted me, So he shouldn't have took it out on me, and I felt that he took it out on me a little bit and that I didn't get the help that I thought I should have gotten from the number one guy in the room, and so because I didn't, I felt that I won't ever do that to anybody else."Former Chiefs safety and fellow tournament participant Justin Reid left an impression on Jaden Hicks, who spoke highly of his veteran presence. According to Bettis, the importance of building the next wave of players and sacrificing goes a long way."Gary and I've developed a really good relationship since that moment. As time passed, he understood the error in his ways, and we, you know, came back together, and now we have a friendship," said Bettis, "I told myself I would never do that to a guy who comes into the organization because I'm not picking the players. Still, my job, my responsibility as the leader of this running back group, is to make sure I get all these guys ready to play because if God forbid I'm not here, they've got to carry on the mantle, and they've got to be successful to help this organization win. So, that was always my mindset. I need to ensure that every guy in this running back room is ready to take on the challenge, because if you don't want to be the starting running back, you're in the wrong business. Every guy in this room should want to be the starter, and that's why I would always tell these guys. I would also push them to want to be the best versions of themselves."The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, nearly $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in the golf world.Check out the website for more information about the American Century Championship.