Jerome Bettis: Key to the City

NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis — the Pittsburgh Steeler who received the key to the City of Detroit for his role in Super Bowl XL — was in Miami for Super Bowl XLIV and the grand opening of Haimov Jewelers' South Florida showroom. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

The key to the city is presented to individuals who have promoted that particular city in a positive manner, have contributed to the betterment of the city, or have done a remarkable act of mankind. It is a token of appreciation offering some sort of preferential treatment or status within that community.

Only a privileged few are admitted into this exclusive club, and Jerome Bettis is among them. On January 31, 2006, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the City Council presented the key to the city to Jerome Bettis, a Detroit native. The key was given to him for promoting the city of Detroit during Super Bowl XL, the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks. The Super Bowl brought hope to the devastated city that had suffered from economic downfall, and Jerome Bettis was instrumental in highlighting his hometown.

The retired Pittsburgh Steeler was recently in the Miami area for Super Bowl XLIV and the grand opening of Haimov Jewelers' South Florida showroom — a luxury timepiece manufacturer and jeweler to high-profile clients including Paris Hilton, Timbaland, 50 Cent, Nelly, Shaquille O'Neal, and Dwyane Wade.

PGM: You received the key to the City of Detroit during Super Bowl XL in your hometown. How do you feel about that?

JB: It was a tremendous honor, being that that's home. For me to be able to get a key to the city from where I was born and raised was a great honor.

PGM: How do you feel about winning the Super Bowl?

JB: It was another honor. Something I have worked my whole life for. It was incredible.

PGM: What are you doing now, and what do you plan to do next?

JB: I am still involved in television and the games. I will always be involved with football. It is my life — I will always be involved with it.

For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .