pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, in exchange for the Steelers' second-round pick and their fourth-round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. The Rams gave Bettis the option of which team he wanted to be traded to, and he chose the Steelers over their AFC Central rival Houston Oilers (who would draft Eddie George that year instead) due to the Steelers' more storied history. In exchange for Bettis, the Rams drafted Ernie Conwell (second round of 1996 draft) and also received the Steelers fourth-round pick in 1997. In 1997, the Rams had multiple trade deals including moving up to the number 1 draft slot to draft Orlando Pace. The Rams traded their fourth-round pick from the Steelers to the Dolphins along with two sixth-round picks, in order to move up nine slots and draft offensive tackle Ryan Tucker. The Steelers drafted Steve Conley (third round of 1996 draft) with the draft selection they acquired from the Bettis trade with the Rams. Conley was traded to the Colts two seasons later for a fifth-round pick. The Steelers were in need of a running back because Bam Morris, their power running back for the 1994 and 1995 seasons, was arrested in March 1996 for marijuana possession. The Steelers traded for Bettis on the day of the 1996 NFL Draft. Morris eventually pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and was cut by the team in June 1996, leaving Bettis as the featured back. Pittsburgh Steelers In his first season in Pittsburgh, Bettis rushed for a then career-high 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named to his second 1st team All-Pro team. He also won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year, was voted Steelers' team MVP and finished the 1996 season as the leader in Football Outsiders rushing DYAR metric. Bettis rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons with the Steelers between 1996 and 2001. Included in that run were three campaigns of over 1,300 yards. In 1997, Bettis rushed for a career-best 1,665 yards in the team's first 15 games. However, because the team had already wrapped up its playoff position, he was rested for the regular-season finale and finished 26 yards short of the team's single-season record. Bettis does hold the Steelers' franchise record for rushing yards in a single season when including postseason play. Bettis was a second-team