Rocky bleier s story a gripping tale of courage on both the football fields of america and the battle fields of vietnam has held audiences in rapt attention for years. Screening of the return shows steelers great rocky. Bleier, loved football and played with lots of heart. Former steeler, military veteran rocky bleier shares his.
Steelers legend rocky bleier returns to vietnam 50 years. Rocky bleiers story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and. Rocky bleier is a football player who was in the army and got shot. The official fan page of the former pittsburgh steeler, four time super bowl champion. I will be passing this book on to a young man of 17 who, like mr.
Had bleier been a philadelphia eagle, he would probably be my favorite athlete of all time. I felt like we were hanging out at our favorite bar while he was telling me his story. I do not own any rights fighting back is a 1980 movie about the real life of pittsburgh steelers halfback rocky bleier. Rocky bleier eagles talent nfl running back vietnam. Book rocky bleier for speaking, events and appearances. Sc featured producer jon fish approached rocky bleier a decade ago about the idea of doing a documentary where the pittsburgh steelers great would return to vietnam for the first time in. Espn documentary shows rocky bleiers emotional return to. He has been married to jan gyurina since april, 1996. Rocky bleier played at notre dame and for the pittsburgh steelers. Raising money to provide services for local veterans is why former pittsburgh steeler rocky bleier is reissuing an updated version of his classic book, fighting back. Espn documentary shows bleiers emotional return to vietnam.
The extraordinary life story of rocky bleier is an inspirational one of a man who overcame terrible adversity to achieve his dreams. Rocky bleier, a purple heart and bronze star recipient who has actively. Rbvetco is a servicedisabled, veteranowned company. Join steelers great rocky bleier in fighting back for veterans, by purchasing a special autographed edition of his book. It specializes in the construction of commercial buildings, additions and renovations including planning, design, scheduling, value engineering and subcontracting. Rocky is one of the owners and managing members of rbvetco.
The rocky bleier story, which depicted his struggle to recuperate following vietnam. Rocky bleier the official fan page, pittsburgh, pa. The story of rocky bleier is a story of courage and perseverance, and this movie is rather poignant despite its, movie of the week, trappings. Roach and christina rivers welcome steelers legend rocky bleier to the show. Rocky bleier recalls vietnam war, 40 years after it ended. Fighting back tells the story of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier and his journey through football and fighting in the vietnam war. Wise and written by gene collier, the play features an intimate portrait of rocky s life as he tells stories of family, war, and the heart of steelers nation. Rocky bleier s story is one of the most gripping tales of courage and determination that i have ever heard. This book speaks of this mans courage and determination. Rocky bleier, a purple heart and bronze star recipient who has actively supported causes related to military veterans for many years, will donate a portion of the proceeds to guardian angel service dogs.
Rockys story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. In an image provided by espn from video, rocky bleier stands in hiep duc valley, about 35 miles 56 kilometers south of danang in vietnam, on aug. The play with rocky bleier is available now for your regional theater or group to book. The doctors told him that he would never be able to walk again but he didnt let that stop him. Rocky bleier s story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and organizations to reach their greatest potential. A hero on and off the field, four time super bowl champion rocky bleier defied the odds and made a comeback that will forever be etched in steelers history. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in. I wanted a refresh on his story and downloaded this version of the story. The return features tom rinaldi and pittsburgh steelers legend rocky bleier as he makes an emotional return to vietnam for the first time after being wounded in. Between 1971 and 1980, bleier took home 4 super bowl rings with the pittsburgh steelers. Fighting back by rocky bleier, terry oneil, paperback. Book rocky bleier for public speaking harry walker agency.
Former steelers running back rocky bleier speaks with vietnam veteran keith welteroth of indiana, pa. The impact was so much deeper hearing the story from mr. The rocky bleier story is a 1980 madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier, portrayed by robert. From the football fields of the nfl to the battlefields of vietnam, he has shown incredible resilience, both as a man and an athlete. Rocky bleier updates book to raise money for veterans. It was an autobiography released back in 1975, where the four time super bowl champion, rocky bleier, told the story of his time in the army during the vietnam war. Bleier wrote a book of his struggle to recover from his war wounds called fighting back. Rocky bleiers story is one of the most gripping tales of courage and. Based on bleiers 1975 autobiography of the same name, it tells the story of how, after becoming a running back for the steelers in 1968, he was then drafted by the u. Share in this rare opportunity to witness rocky bleier in an intimate and unforgettable evening. For decades, fighting back served as a shining example of courage and determination for people in all walks of life.
A hero on and off the field, fourtime super bowl champion rocky bleier defied the odds and made a comeback that will forever be etched in steelers history. He was selected by the pittsburgh steelers in the 16th round in 1968 only to be drafted into the u. Rocky bleier embodies heroism, determination, teamwork, and leadership. Framed through parallels to football and rocky bleier s personal journey as a war veteran, national collegiate football champion, and fourtime super bowl champion with the pittsburgh steelers, bleiers story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and organizations to reach their greatest potential. Doctors told him that hed never play football again. Previous donations from book sales made to veterans leadership, the joint training facility, and legacies alive a very special thank you to. The story of rocky bleier 1980, the nfl on cbs 1956 and backstreet justice 1994. Now a special edition of the book that contains two additional chapters is available. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in the new american century. His speech, be the best you can be encourages audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments.
Rocky bleier was born on march 5, 1946 in appleton, wisconsin, usa as robert patrick bleier. Injured by a bullet to the thigh and a hand grenade to the lower right leg, rocky. Through his story of courage and determination, he motivates audiences to reach for their goals, despite all obstacles. The story of rocky bleier, the pittsburgh steeler running back who, though seriously wounded in vietnam, was able to train hard and work his way back to playing condition, eventually helping the steelers to win a world championship this text refers to. The first 10,000 copies will be personally autographed by rocky. Fighting back by rocky bleier hardcover book steelers pro shop. Then rocky started to play football again and he was not as tall and not as big as all of the other people. And its live trust me on this one its worth the listen rocky bleier the official fan page is worth every second youll have to put up with me and christina l rivers brian e. This is the story of his journey through football and fighting in the vietnam war. What could be a better story than a young man who wanted to play football but got drafted to go to vietnam instead.
The play provides a poignant introspective glimpse of a living legend. I was pleasantly surprised to get a bit of an inside look into. Fighting back, the rocky bleier story is a very well made tv movie from the early 80s. Unfortunately, this young man just lost his arm and shoulder to cancer. Rocky bleier s visit to vietnam the first time he had been back since being injured in battle is the subject of espn.
This book is about a steelers running back named rocky bleier. The rocky bleier story, and it was made into a television movie in 1980, with robert urich starring as bleier, richard herd as steelers coach chuck noll, art carney as team owner art rooney, and many of bleier s teammates including matt bahr and mean joe. I had read fighting back before and i knew who rocky bleier was. Espn documentary on rocky bleier shows his emotional. Espn documentary shows rocky bleier s emotional return to vietnam. Fourtime super bowl champion rocky bleier also performs his oneman show, the play, based on his almost unbelievable life story. Dan rooneys story from the super bowl to the rooney rule.
First 20,000 copies will be autographed by rocky bleier. What the former pittsburgh steelers running back didnt have though was closure until a. Rocky s story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. Rocky bleier graduated from notre dame in 1968 after having played on the 1966 national championship team, and serving as captain of the 1967 squad. A captivated crowd sat in spellbound silence for 30 minutes while watching the story of pittsburgh steelers great rocky bleier s return to vietnam 49 years after fighting in the war.
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