Jerome Bettis, "The Bus," Stops at the Big Game for Heart Health

Pro football legend Jerome Bettis, the former running back better known as “The Bus,” brought a heart health message to the big game in New Orleans on behalf of the CDC Foundation and the cardiovascular health initiative Live to the Beat. Bettis spoke to several of the media outlets gathered there for the event, including the NFL Network, FanSided, People magazine, DraftKings and others.

“It’s really for me an honor to be working with the CDC Foundation and Live to the Beat,” Bettis told People. "Heart health is critically important and I think a lot of people don't understand hypertension [and] high blood pressure. These things are killers, especially in the Black community.”

The Bus Stops for a Heart to Heart

"We've got to make sure that we're taking the necessary steps to correct that, and it's small steps," he continued. "Taking some of the salt out of your diet, going for a walk, exercise, just small things you can do that really change your quality of life."
 Those suggestions and more appear on the Live to the Beat website, as do personal stories from people affected by cardiovascular disease. Bettis lost his father to a heart attack when he was just 61 years old. “So those small changes are things that I want to make sure that I do, so that it doesn’t happen to me. I’m 52 years old so I want to make sure that I’m able to walk my daughter down the aisle.”

The “Legacy of Heart Health” web page is a platform where people can watch and share stories about how reducing stress and controlling blood pressure, among other simple strategies, can lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. “I want to share my story so hopefully it inspires other people,” said Bettis.

“People often remember stories more than facts alone, so this year, Live to the Beat wants to put real-person stories at the forefront of our outreach,” said Kinetra Joseph, senior advisor, Social Marketing & Behavior Change Programs, CDC Foundation. “We believe when people hear from others who have faced similar challenges, it empowers them to take action, seek help and prioritize their heart health.”

High Blood Pressure Hits Almost Half of Adults

For American Heart Month 2025, Live to the Beat aims to bring attention to the dangerous impact of untreated and uncontrolled high blood pressure, a leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease. Though it may not cause any signs or symptoms, nearly half (48.1 percent) of adults in the United States have hypertension (blood pressure over 130/80 mmHg) and almost 60 percent of them are Black men and women. 

Everyone can benefit from this message, but as Bettis said in New Orleans, “Our goal is really to get football fans to prioritize heart health and understand that it’s really important.”