From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Bowling Hall of Fame has decided to induct Jerome Bettis this year, two months after his retirement from the Steelers.

He won't go in for his 13 years as a pro football player, not yet anyway, because he must wait five years before he's a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Bowling Hall of Fame, however, does not have such a wait.

Bettis, who became an accomplished amateur bowler long before he played football, will be the first person inducted into the new Celebrities Bowling Hall of Fame, part of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in St. Louis.

While Bettis has not bowled professionally, the Hall of Fame chose him for its new wing because of his long support of the sport and his participation as an amateur. Bettis bowls often and averages over 200. He annually puts on a "Super Bowling Party" in Detroit during Super Bowl week for his The Bus Stops Here Foundation.

"I have bowled my entire life and gained great pleasure and enjoyment from the sport," Bettis said. "This is a tremendous honor. I hope my enshrinement and continued involvement in the sport will inspire others to enjoy the camaraderie, fun and great competition that bowling offers."

Said Jerry Baltz, the museum's executive director: "The new Celebrities Hall of Fame will honor those non-bowling celebrities who by their public actions and comments have significantly increased the general public's positive awareness of the sport of bowling. Jerome exemplifies all of these attributes and we're proud to welcome him to the Hall."

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Jerome Bettis has previously said that bowling a perfect game has been his biggest accomplishment as an athlete. Now that he is a Super Bowl champion, I wonder if this has changed?

Jerome Bettis bobble head with Super Bowl ring