Pierre Thomas – New Orleans Saints, Running Back

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 210 lbs.
College: Illinois
Hometown: Chicago, IL

• During rookie season, became only the 2nd rookie in NFL history to gain over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game
• All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2004
• Super Bowl XLIV Champion
• First player in New Orleans Saints history to gain more than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game

The Beginning

Pierre Thomas Jr. was born in Lynwood, IL to Charles and Greta Jo Thomas. He attended Thorton Fractional South High School, where he set school career rushing records with 88 touchdowns and 5,522 yards, numbers that were ranked top 10 in Illinois state history. He attended The University of Illinois where he started as a true freshman and continued to break records, breaking the school record for career kickoff return yardage with 1,495 yards. He ranked sixth in University of Illinois history in career rushing yards with 2,545 yards and earned honorable mention All Big Ten Conference while leading the conference and ranking second at Illinois in all-purpose yardage with 4,451. He also posted 9 career 100-yard rushing games at Illinois and was voted team MVP two years and Captain his senior year.

The NFL
Thomas went undrafted in the 2007 NFL draft. Shortly after the draft, Thomas signed a contract as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints. He was predicted to be a camp body for the Saints but ended up having a stellar preseason and beat out Antonio Pittman, a player the Saints had traded up to take in the fourth round of the draft, to make the Saints’ final roster.

On December 30, 2007, in the Saints’ season finale, injuries took regular starters Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, and Aaron Stecker out of the game. Resulting from this, Thomas received his first NFL start in his hometown at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears and became the first Saints player to gain over 100 yards both rushing and receiving in the same game. He also became the only player in NFL history to gain over 100 yards both rushing and receiving against the Chicago Bears. In 2008, Thomas played in 15 contests, starting five. Thomas was also selected to USA Today’s All-Joe team which recognizes hard-working players that don’t receive as much media attention.

Despite competing with Reggie Bush and Mike Bell for touches, Thomas finished the 2009 regular season with career-highs in carries and rushing yards with 147 and 793 yards while scoring six touchdowns. He also set new career-highs in receptions and receiving yards with 39 for 302 yards to go along with two touchdowns. The playoffs were also kind to Thomas as he rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries and 4 catches for 18 yards in the divisional playoffs against the Arizona Cardinals. He then followed that up with 61 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown and 2 catches for 38 yards and another score against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship. Prior to Super Bowl XLIV, Thomas was credited as being the key to the Saints’ running game. In the title game, Thomas led the team with 30 yards on 9 carries and gained 55 yards on 6 catches and touchdown. He was praised for his tough running during the game which included the Saints first touchdown of the game. In an act of generosity, Thomas gave his touchdown football to Saints running back legend Deuce McAllister who had been signed by the team several weeks earlier.

Off the Field

Thomas is also very involved in charity work in his hometown of Lansing, IL and New Orleans. He has been active in helping New Orleans rebuild after Hurricane Katrina and plans to help any way he can with the recent oil spill in the gulf. He is also very active in the Dream For Kids organization and has attended the Dream for Kids benefit dinner which helps under privileged children realize and help achieve their dreams. For more information about Pierre Thomas, please visit www.pierrethomas.com.

Joe Thomas – Cleveland Browns, Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’6”
Weight: 312 lbs.
College: Wisconsin
Hometown: Brookfield, WI

• Three time Pro Bowl Selection
• Selected by the Browns with the 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
• Awarded the Outland Trophy in 2006
• Won the Jim Parker Award in 2006
• Three time Pro Bowl Selection (07’, 08’, 09’)
• First-team All-Pro (09’)
• Second-team All-Pro (08’)

Joe Thomas was born in Brookfield, WI. He attended Central High School where he played right tackle, defensive end, tight end, fullback, placekicker, and punter. He was listed among the Top 20 offensive tackles nationally, a PrepStar All-American, Second-team All-American offensive guard according to USA Today, member of Detroit Free Press All-Midwest team, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first-team All-State defensive lineman and Second-team All-State offensive guard as a junior, and also received First-team All-State honors at DE from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) and Associated Press.  Thomas also ran track and field, setting the school record in shot-put and discus. Despite being dynamic on the field, he excelled academically as well and was on the honor roll for all four years of high school.

As a true freshman at Wisconsin in the fall of 2003, he mostly saw action as a blocking tight end. In 2004, he started all 12 games at left tackle, helping the Badgers’ ground game with Anthony Davis and Matt Bernstein in the backfield. In 2005, Barry Alvarez’s final season, he started all 13 games at left tackle and was named a First-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly. He blocked for Brian Calhoun, who had an impressive year, racking up 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards. Thomas considered declaring for the 2006 NFL Draft, where he was projected among the top 15 picks (and projected as the second offensive lineman behind Virginia prospect D’Brickashaw Ferguson). The Badgers were invited to the Capital One Bowl against Auburn, where they prevailed 24-10. Unfortunately, Thomas tore his ACL playing defensive end because of injuries to other players at the position. The Badgers finished that season 10-3 with a #15 national ranking. Soon after the game, Thomas announced that he would be returning to Wisconsin for his final year.

His senior season in 2006 began with high expectations. He was named a preseason All-American, and was on the watch lists for several postseason awards, including the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award. As the offensive captain, he started all 13 games and blocked for P. J. Hill, Jr., who racked up over 1,500 yards on the ground.

Following the regular season, Thomas won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman (includes both offense and defense). The Associated Press awarded him placement on its First-team All-American at tackle, along with Michigan’s Jake Long. Thomas was a consensus 2006 All-American selection. Thomas and the Badgers were again invited to the Capital One Bowl, this time against Arkansas. The Badgers prevailed 17-14 and finished the season 12-1, a school record for wins in a single season. Thomas also excelled at shot-put for the Badgers’ track and field team and also was a business major.

The Cleveland Browns drafted Thomas in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft to fill a dire need on the team’s offensive line. The Thomas pick ended much speculation that the Browns would choose other players including former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn with the 3rd overall pick in the draft, whom they traded up to get later with the 22nd pick of the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Instead of attending the 2007 draft festivities in New York, Thomas chose to continue a family tradition and go fishing on Lake Michigan with his father and Joe Panos. He found out he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns by cell phone.

Thomas signed a 6-year contract worth $43 million, $23 million guaranteed. Thomas won the starting left tackle job, with previous Browns left tackle Kevin Shaffer moving to right tackle. He made his NFL debut versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 1 and played every offensive snap for the Browns in 2007. Thomas quickly became one of the top-performing members of the ‘07 draft class and was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Month for November. Thomas was selected to the 2008 Pro Bowl, replacing Jason Peters of the Buffalo Bills. Thomas was selected to the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Pro Bowls and in 2007 he became the first Browns left tackle selected to the Pro Bowl since Doug Dieken in 1980. Thomas came in second in the voting for NFL Rookie of the Year. He was the only other person to receive votes other than the eventual winner, Adrian Peterson.

Thomas is an avid outdoorsman. Along with Cleveland Plain Dealer outdoors writer D’Arcy Egan, Thomas hosts the television program Outdoors Ohio on Sports Time Ohio.

Jerome Bettis – Pittsburgh Steelers, Running Back

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 255 lbs.
College: Notre Dame
Hometown: Detroit,

• Super Bowl XL Champion
• 1993 Offensive Rookie of the Year
• 1996 NFL Comeback Player of the Year
• Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2001
• Six time Pro Bowl Selection (93, 94, 96, 97, 01, 04)
• Three time All-Pro Selection (93, 96, 97)
• 5th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 13,662 yards

The Beginning

Jerome Bettis was born in Detroit, MI to Johnny and Gladys Bettis. He grew up playing sports and mostly enjoyed bowling and ice skating. To this day, he credits much of his success to his loving parents and siblings. Jerome began his football playing days at Mackenzie High School in Detroit, where he was a standout running back and linebacker. He was rated the top player in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free Press and was the Gatorade Circle of Champions Player of the Year award winner. He began playing football at the University of Notre Dame in 1990. He finished his career there with 337 rushing attempts for 1,912 yards and 32 receptions for 429 yards.

The NFL

Bettis went into the NFL Draft in 1993 and was picked 10th overall by the Los Angeles Rams. His first year in the NFL, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year for his astonishing 1,429 rushing yards. In 1996, Bettis, along with a third round draft pick, were traded by the Rams to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a second round pick in 1996 and a fourth round pick in 1997. Bettis went on to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons with the Steelers between 1996 and 2001. In 1997, Bettis rushed for a career high 1,665 yards in the team’s first 15 games.

Besides being known for his outstanding performance on the field, Bettis was at the center of one of the most controversial calls in NFL history. During a Thanksgiving Day game with the Detroit Lions on November 26, 1998, Bettis was sent out as the Steelers’ representative for the overtime coin toss. Bettis called “tails” while the coin was in the air, but the referee Phil Luckett declared that Bettis had called “heads” and awarded possession to Detroit, who went on to win the game before Pittsburgh had the chance to have possession. After reviewing the incident, the NFL changed the rule and declared that the call of “heads” or “tails” would be made before the coin was tossed and that at least two officials would be present during the coin toss. Some have jokingly referred to the new procedure as the “Jerome Bettis Rule”. The readers of ESPN The Magazine voted the incident as #8 on it’s list of the Top Ten Worst Sports Officiating Calls of All Time.

Bettis ended his very successful career with the Steelers after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in 2006 in his hometown of Detroit, MI. He said, “It’s been an incredible ride. I played this game to win a championship. I’m a champion now, and I think the Bus’ last stop is here in Detroit”. Bettis officially announced his retirement standing on the Champion’s podium, holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. He finished his 13 NFL season career as the NFL’s 5th leading all-time rusher with 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns. Although the Steelers no longer retire numbers, they have not reissued Bettis’ #36 since he retired and it is generally understood that no Steeler will ever wear that number again.

After Retirement

On January 31, 2006, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the Detroit City Council presented the Key to the City of Detroit to Bettis and declared the week Jerome Bettis Week for being “a shining example of what a kid with a dream from Detroit can accomplish with hard work and determination.” The next day, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm declared February 1, 2006 to be Jerome Bettis Day in the State of Michigan.

Bettis signed as a studio commentator for NBC’s new Football Night in America Sunday night pregame show where he stayed until 2008. He also signed on to be a commentator with the NFL Network where he still works today.

In 1997, Bettis founded the “Bus Stops Here” Foundation which is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “improve the overall quality of life for troubled and underprivileged children by offering the opportunities to help them succeed in life”. Through the “Bus Stops Here” Foundation, Bettis has spread the word about living successfully with asthma, and has helped numerous underprivileged children in reaching their dreams through programs like ‘Dreams Come True – Trip of a Lifetime’, celebrity golf outings, and football camps, just to name a few.

Jerome Bettis Enterprises, Inc. is the nerve center for all of Bettis’ endeavors outside of football. Under the Enterprise name is the “Bus Stops Here” Foundation, The Bus 36 Brand, and Urban Mortgage. Being one of the most recognizable and most popular players on and off the field, The Bus 36 Brand allows Bettis to market himself more effectively and use that popularity to transcend the brand into endless boundaries. The Bus 36 brand includes restaurants, apparel, endorsement deals, and private development. Urban Mortgage is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and is a leader in home loan, borrowing, credit repair and refinancing programs. There is also an office in Detroit, MI headed by Bettis’ father.

Bettis and his wife Trameka live in Atlanta, GA with their daughter Jada and son Jerome. They also maintain a residence in Pittsburgh, PA.

Other Accomplishments

• Has a restaurant called Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36, which was opened on Pittsburgh’s North side on June 5, 2007. Since it’s opening, it has been voted Pittsburgh’s best sports restaurant every year
• Is currently the host of the Jerome Bettis Show on WPXITV in Pittsburgh
• Has written two books: Driving Home: My Unforgettable Super Bowl Run (2006) and My Life in & out of the Helmet (2008)
• Was featured in the new book titled “NFL Dads Dedication to Daughters”, a book produced by the NFLPA and A Call to Men to show that these gridiron heroes are taking the necessary steps to help protect their little girls in a world that sometimes treats women harshly

Has Been Corporate Partners with:

• GNC
• Kellogg
• Random House
• Lipton
• S&T
• GlaxoSmithKline
• B&G Memorabilia
• hamiltonmarc Interactive Studio

Eddie George – Tennessee Titans, Running Back

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 235 lbs.
College: Ohio State
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

• Most career rushing yards in Tennessee Titans franchise history
• Four time Pro Bowl Selection
• 1995 Heisman Trophy Award

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Eddie George has carved a special niche for himself in the professional sports arena, particularly the NFL where he is only the second NFL running back to rush for 10,000 yards while never missing a start, joining Jim Brown.  Only Walter Payton (170) has started more consecutive regular-season games than George’s 128.

In addition to the Heisman Trophy, George won several NFL Rookie of the Year awards in 1996, and was the Tennessee Titans’ starting tailback until 2003.

Throughout his tenure as one of the NFL’s premier running backs, Eddie not only possessed an explosive combination of speed, power and toughness, but was the epitome of durability.  Eddie’s punishing north-and-south running style won him the 1997 AP’s “Offensive Rookie of the Year” honors as well as four consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl from 1998-2001. Drafted in the first round by the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, he owns virtually every franchise rushing record.  Eddie led the AFC Champion Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000.

Instead of resting on his records, Eddie has quietly built businesses aimed at helping improve the quality of life for all Americans.  His vision of healthy people and healthy places is being brought to life through the commitment of everyone at George Enterprises.  Eddie’s companies include EGX Lifestyle working to help people develop healthy lives, and EDGE the planning and design firm helping create healthy communities.

Beyond leading his business organization, Eddie’s business life is filled with media appearances, entertainment roles, speaking engagements and philanthropy.  George finds his work with charities very rewarding, donating his time and money to various organizations, including his own non-profit organization, Visions with Infinite Possibilities (V.I.P).

Eddie is married to Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George, a Grammy^® - nominated singer with the soul group SWV (“Sisters With Voices”), which sold more than six million records.  Taj was also featured on the Survivor television show in 2009, and voted one of the fan favorites. Eddie also made a guest appearance on the Survivor program.

Taj and Eddie live in Tennessee.  They are the loving parents of two sons, Eriq and Jaire.  They enjoy a busy life of friends, family and kids’ sporting events.  George recently graduated from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, earning an MBA in the Executive MBA program.

Some of George Enterprises’ companies:

EGX Lifestyle – www.egxlifestyle.com

EDGE Group – www.edgela.com

David Diehl – New York Giants, Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’5”
Weight: 319 lbs.
College: Illinois
Hometown: Chicago, IL

• AP NFL All-Pro Second Team in 2008
• Pro Bowl Selection in 2009
• Super Bowl XLII Champion

The Beginning

David Diehl was born in Chicago, IL to Jerry and Darlene Diehl. He attended Brother Rice High School in Chicago, where he earned nine varsity letters—four in football, three in track and two in wrestling. He attended the University of Illinois, where he was named second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection as a senior in 2002. He also was the recipient of the Wright Commitment to Excellence Award which is presented to the Illinois player who has dedicated himself to academic excellence despite obstacles faced during his collegiate career. During his time playing for Illinois, he started every game at left offensive guard, racking up 91 knockdowns. Diehl graduated from Illinois in December of 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications. He received his Masters Degree in Human Resource Education in 2008. Diehl’s brothers were also celebrated athletes. Jerry was an All-Iowa Conference offensive guard and Jeff was a 2-year letterman in basketball at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

The NFL

Diehl went into the NFL Draft in 2003 and was drafted in the 5th round, 160th overall by the New York Giants. He became the first Giants rookie since Mark Bavaro in 1985 to start every game as a rookie and has not missed a game since. He started in all 112 games in his first 7 years, alternating between four different positions on the offensive line. Diehl found his niche as a left tackle in 2007, protecting Eli Manning’s blind side as the Giants’ offensive line dominated four playoff games culminating in a 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. The Giants rewarded Diehl’s outstanding performance by signing him to a new contract, reportedly worth as much as $31 million over six years.

Off the Field
Diehl is very active off the football field, participating regularly in charity events in New Jersey. Diehl is a regular attendee at the Giants Foundation Golf Outing and “Meet the Giants” Ronald McDonald House Dinner fundraiser at the Park Avenue Country Club. He also attended the Irvington (New York) Youth Football Dinner to congratulate kids on a well-played season. Diehl also attended the NYC Police Athletic League’s “Sports Night” banquet and the United Way of New York City’s 2005 Gridiron Gala. As a rookie, Diehl celebrated Halloween by delivering candy and painted pumpkins to children undergoing cancer treatment at Tomorrow Children’s Fund Institute, located in the Don Imus – WFAN Pediatric Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. He is also a part of the Project Sunshine charity, a non profit organization that provides free educational, recreational, and social programs to children and families living with medical challenges.

Diehl was raised in Croatian spirit; he wanted to represent his Croation decent through a tattoo of the Croatian coat-of-arms on his left arm. While he lived in Chicago, he was a regular visitor of local Croatian churches and cultural centers. Strong bonds with American Croats have been proved when he continued with that habit even after he moved to New Jersey, where local Croatian communities often have him as a visitor.

Diehl currently lives in Totowa, New Jersey with his wife Nicole and their beautiful 3-year old daughter, Addison Elizabeth. He was just featured in a new book produced by the NFLPA and A Call to Men called “NFL Dads Dedicated to Daughters”. The book tells what it means to be a father of a daughter and what it takes to stop violence against women.

For additional information about David Diehl, please visit www.davediehl66.com.

Aaron Smith – Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive End

Height: 6’5”
Weight: 298 lbs.
College: Northern Colorado
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO

• Sports Illustrated 2000s All Decade Team
• Pro Bowl in 2004
• AFC Defensive Player of the Week in 2008 (Week 15)
• Super Bowl XL and XLIII Champion

The Beginning

Aaron Smith was born in Colorado Springs, CO to Ruth Smith. He attended Sierra High School where he lettered in football and basketball and was a consensus All State selection in football and an All-Conference selection in both football and basketball.

His college career at Northern Colorado was very successful. He was a consensus Division II first-team All-America selection and was also an All-North Conference first-team pick and voted conference’s Most Valuable Defensive Lineman. In 1997, he was a Dak-tronics and Burger King/American Football Coaches Association first-team All-America choice. He majored in political science at Northern Colorado. In 1998, Smith was voted team captain for the second straight year.

The NFL

Smith was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 4th round, 109th pick overall, of the 1999 NFL draft. He played in every Steelers’ game from 2000 through 2006. Smith has been the ideal defensive end in Pittsburgh’s defense and helped lead the Steelers to a win in Super Bowl XL. His excellent regular season earned him a 2005 pro bowl nomination, where he went on to record four tackles in the game. After the 2008 season, Smith helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII.

On February 27, 2007, the Steelers resigned Smith to a 5 year, $25 million contract. Through the 2007 season, Smith ranks ninth all time on the Steelers sacks list. After missing parts of three games with a knee injury early in the 2007 season, Smith missed the last four games due to a torn biceps muscle while playing against the New England Patriots in early December. Smith made a full recovery from the injury and returned to his starting position in 2008; he was named to the 2008 USA Today All-Joe Team.