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Jerome Bettis And Gnc Team Up To Promote Health And Wellness

(Friday, September 29, 2006) - Jerome Bettis, the legendary NFL running back known as "The Bus," will serve as a spokesperson for GNC Corporation and as a member of Team GNC Pro Performance.

Bettis will endorse GNC's high-quality nutritional supplements, appear in the company's advertising and other promotional efforts, and team with GNC to encourage healthy lifestyles for America's youth.

GNC will support Bettis' non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, The Bus Stops Here Foundation, in an effort to improve the overall quality of life for troubled and underprivileged children by offering opportunities to help them succeed in life. Youth sports camps and nutritional awareness seminars are currently being planned by GNC to support the efforts of this foundation.

GNC was also an inaugural sponsor of the Jerome Bettis Caring for Kids All-Star Event held September 8, 2006 at Heinz Field to benefit The Bus Stops Here Foundation.

"I am thrilled to be associated with GNC," Bettis said. "I have been fortunate to play for some of the best organizations in college and professional football. And now I am proud to represent the best organization in the nutritional supplement industry.

"Throughout my playing career, I relied on GNC products to help me stay healthy and strong. Now that I am retired from football, I need nutritional support to maintain a healthy lifestyle," Bettis said. "GNC's high-quality supplements help me do just that.

"I am also excited to help GNC in its mission to help people live well, especially the kids," he continued. "Childhood obesity is such a problem these days, and together we will encourage children to stay active and pursue a healthy lifestyle. We will also strive to teach young, aspiring athletes about the importance of safe supplementation."

Bettis, 34, retired as a Super Bowl champion after 13 seasons in the National Football League, the last 11 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He served as a leader both on the field and in the locker room, and was credited with being a driving force in the Steelers' run to the NFL title in Bettis' hometown of Detroit in February. The likely Hall of Fame running back finished his career with 13,662 yards rushing -- fifth on the NFL's all-time list, six Pro Bowl selections and 91 touchdowns. Soon after his retirement, Bettis joined NBC Sports as a studio analyst on the network's Sunday Night Football NFL telecasts.

"Jerome Bettis is a perfect representative for GNC," said GNC President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Fortunato. "Not only is he one of the greatest athletes ever to play professional football, but he embodies the qualities GNC looks for in its partnerships. We appreciate the opportunity to work with an individual of Jerome's caliber, persona and principles and look forward to a long prosperous relationship in the health and wellness industry."

GNC, based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional supplements, which includes vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, sports nutrition products, diet and energy products and specialty supplements. GNC has more than 5,800 retail locations throughout the United States, including more than 1,100 domestic franchise locations, and locations in 45 countries. The Company also offers products through its website, http://www.gnc.com/.

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