Ex-Steeler Jerome Bettis hits the links at professional golf events

Frank Carnevale
Thursday, June 27, 2019 10:30 a.m. | Thursday, June 27, 2019 10:30 a.m.

Jerome Bettis arrives at the 2019 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Atlanta.

Pittsburgh’s favorite bus, Jerome Bettis, hit the links this week.

The former Steelers running back, along with former L.A. and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown, are honorary chairmen for the U.S. Senior Open that began Thursday and runs through Sunday at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course in South Bend, Ind.

Bettis and Brown are Notre Dame alumni.

“I love Notre Dame. And I also love to play golf, so to be a part of this incredible championship is a honor,” Bettis told ABC57.

Bettis also added that a college atmosphere may creep into the tournament.

“It may get a noisy at times, but I don’t think it’s going to interfere with the players that much. I think, for the most part, the people here are very courteous,” Bettis said with a smile to the station.

This is the first time the Senior Open has been held on a collegiate course.

Notre Dame Athletics tweeted a video of Bettis and Brown, along with pro golfer David Toms on the Fighting Irish football field.

Excellent form, @davidtomsgolf!

The defending #USSeniorOpen champ toured campus with @NDFootball alums @JeromeBettis36 and @81TimBrown as the tournament gets underway at the @WarrenGCatND.#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/SGBLvOknbc

— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) June 27, 2019

The PGA Tour shared a clip of Bettis at the venue and taking a photo with a young fan.

? @JeromeBettis36 is for the fans.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/Fro3BnHanf

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 26, 2019

The Detroit native was also at the Area 313 Celebrity Challenge at the Detroit Golf Club, which was also hosting the Rocket Mortgage Classic, earlier this week.

Bettis played that tournament on Team DJ with Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and professional golfer Paige Spiranac. They won the challenge.

I had a blast playing in the Area 313 Celebrity Challenge at the @RocketClassic in #Detroit. I was on team @DJohnsonPGA with @Dylanlarkin39 and @PaigeSpiranac. pic.twitter.com/WDXTXTqB1v

— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) June 26, 2019

NFL Hall of Famer Bettis has played golf since he was 18.

Frank Carnevale is the TribLive multimedia editor. He started at the Trib in 2016 and has been part of several news organizations, including the Providence Journal and Orlando Sentinel. He can be reached at fcarnevale@triblive.com.