LATROBE, Pa. - Later this week former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis will get the honor he deserves more than anything. He will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

It's a day that many of his former teammates have been waiting for since Bettis retired after the 2005 season, and they are excited for him and honored to have played with him.

"He was the face of the organization when I got here and had been for a while," said tight end Heath Miller, who was a rookie Bettis' final season. "A special guy, special leader, special teammate and obviously a special player. I couldn't be happier for him.

"The numbers speak for themselves. It was the type of person he was. He was friendly and cordial to everyone. It didn't matter who you were, he was the nicest guy in the room. Guys gravitated to him. I feel like he was the glue in the room."

Linebacker James Harrison paid Bettis the ultimate compliment, comparing him to all-time Steelers great and Hall of Famer Joe Greene.

"You have tremendous respect for him, you still do," said Harrison. "He was almost like Mean Joe. He is one of those guys that you looked up to and are influenced by. You are chomping at the bit to get knowledge from. He is a great leader, a great man and obviously a great player."