Sunday may be the finale for Bettis in Pittsburgh

Although he hasn't made a decision, he's expected to retire at season's end.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- He probably won't start the game and may not finish it. No going-away party is planned by his teammates, and the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't expected to stage an elaborate tribute to what may be the best player in franchise history who hasn't played on a Super Bowl winner.
That doesn't mean Jerome Bettis won't have a tear in his eye when the Lions-Steelers game ends late Sunday afternoon.
Bettis, the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history, has not announced his retirement after gaining 13,621 yards in 13 seasons, but it is almost a given this will be his final game in Pittsburgh.
There have been no suggestions from Bettis or the Steelers that he would play the 2006 season and, other than winning a Super Bowl, there is almost nothing Bettis could do to further enhance the career of arguably the best power running back in NFL history.
"The reality is it could be my last," Bettis said. "So, the way I look at it, I'm approaching it as if is the last home game.
No more home games
Even if the Steelers (10-5) win, they cannot play a home game in the playoffs -- a first for them in Bettis' 10 seasons in Pittsburgh. As a result, there should be far more No. 36 jerseys in the Heinz Field stands than normal as the fans say goodbye, even if he is not yet ready himself to do the same to them.
"I think the biggest thrill I've had is seeing guys and girls and kids and grandmothers and grandfathers wearing my 36 jersey," Bettis said. "That's an honor for me because you can pick anybody's jersey to wear."
Some of his own teammates may have worn that No. 36 as a youngster. Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward counted Bettis among their favorite players while growing up, and both felt more comfortable with the Steelers after Bettis personally welcomed them.
"Jerome Bettis was the face of this team and it is going to be sad when he does hang it up," Roethlisberger said. "You're going to miss not just a great football player but a great person."
Most respected player
To coach Bill Cowher, Bettis is "the most respected player" he has seen in the NFL. That respect was displayed in January when, after the Steelers lost to New England in the AFC championship game despite going 15-1 during the season, Ward cried because he was afraid Bettis would retire without playing in the Super Bowl.
One reason Bettis came back this season was the chance to play in the Super Bowl in his Detroit hometown. He may not accomplish that, but at least he will get the chance to play his final home game against the Lions.
That might be enough to bring Ward to tears again.
"When I first got here, it was like, 'Man, I'm playing with Jerome, The Bus,"' Ward said. "Just getting the chance to hang out with him, kind of molding me into the person I am, how to deal with everything, how to deal with the notoriety, he brings out the best in everybody."
The 33-year-old proved a season ago there was some mileage left in him despite his 3,469 carries, the fourth most in NFL history. He had six 100-yard games in as many 2004 regular seasons starts and a seventh in the playoffs, and finished 59 yards short of a ninth 1,000-yard season despite not starting 10 games.
Second only to Harris
This season, with Willie Parker the starter, Bettis has one 100-yard game and a career-low 327 yards on 100 carries. Even so, Bettis' 10,530 yards with Pittsburgh are second in team history only to Hall of Famer Franco Harris' 11,950.
Still, the Steelers probably can't afford for salary-cap reasons to bring back Parker, Bettis and former starter Duce Staley at running back next season. That means if Bettis returns, Staley almost assuredly wouldn't and Bettis would have to be the primary runner if Parker got hurt -- a role he doesn't know if he could fill at age 34.
"You can't have any indecision and say I'm on the closer," Bettis said, referring to his current role of carrying during drives late in a game. "If you're going to be here, you've got to be ready to do anything. You can't go on thinking, 'I'm only going to have to carry eight times a game."'
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