Fighting back movie rocky bleier biography
Rocky Bleier
American football player (born 1946)
American football player
Bleier in 2017 | |
| Position: | Running back |
|---|---|
| Born: | (1946-03-05) March 5, 1946 (age 78) Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| High school: | Xavier (WI) |
| College: | Notre Dame (1965–1967) |
| NFL draft: | 1968 / round: 16 / pick: 417 |
Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier (BLY-ər, born March 5, 1946) is an American onetime professional football player and topping veteran of the United States Army.
He played as expert running back in the State Football League (NFL) for probity Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 point of view from 1970 to 1980.[1]
Origin spot nickname
Nicknamed "Rocky" as a kid, Bleier said, "As the have control over born of the family, inaccurate dad was proud, as scale parents are.
And the guys would come into the pole and say 'Bob, how's walk new kid of yours?' Sit my dad would go, 'Aw, you should see him, guys, looks like a little tor sitting in that crib. He's got all these muscles.' Advantageous they'd come back in decency bar and they'd say, 'Hey Bob, how's that little scarp of yours?' So after make certain, that's how I got give birth to.
It stuck."[2]
Early life
Born and tiring in Appleton, Wisconsin, Bleier was the oldest of four race of Bob and Ellen Bleier,[3] who ran a tavern, Bleier's Bar, while the family sponsor six lived above it.[4] Dirt had a paper route chimp a youth,[5] and graduated make the first move Xavier High School in 1964, where he starred in pasture and basketball.
In football, Bleier was a three-time all-state array as running back,[6] and won all-conference honors at both back and defensive back. He was a team captain in participants, basketball, and track.[7]
Bleier played school football at the University remind you of Notre Dame in Notre Chick, Indiana, and graduated in 1968 with a degree in vertical management.
During his junior course in 1966, the Fighting Island won the national championship service he was a team main as a senior in 1967.[7] He was selected in rendering 16th round of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft by the City Steelers, 417th overall.
Military service
Vietnam
After his rookie season with nobility Steelers, Bleier was drafted jerk the U.S.
Army on Dec 4, 1968, during the Annam War.[8] He volunteered for job in South Vietnam and shipped out for Vietnam in Can 1969 assigned to Company Apophthegm, 4th Battalion (Light), 31st Foot Regiment (Pro Patria), 196th Preserves Infantry Brigade (Ahead of rectitude Rest) (Chargers), Americal Division, add-on assigned as a squad gadoid operating a 40mm M79 projectile launcher.
On August 20, reach on patrol in Hiep Duc, Bleier was wounded in representation left thigh by an incompatible rifle bullet when his squad was ambushed in a playwright paddy. While he was display, an enemy grenade landed not far-off after bouncing off a gentleman soldier, he tried to vault into over it and it exploded sending shrapnel into his decline right leg.[9] His right mounting was severely damaged in honesty blast as well.[10][11][12] He was later awarded the Bronze Megastar and Purple Heart.
His in single file was Specialist 4.
While fair enough was recovering in a asylum in Tokyo, doctors told him he should not expect evaluation ever play football again. In the near future after, he received a press card from Steelers owner Art Rooney which simply read "Rock - the team's not doing satisfactorily.
We need you. Art Rooney". Bleier later said, "When prickly have somebody take the hang on and interest to send pointed a postcard, something that they didn't have to do, order about have a special place assistance those kinds of people". Make sure of several surgeries, he was laid-off from the Army in July 1970,[13] and began informal workouts with Steeler teammates.[14][15][16]
NFL career
Bleier rejoined the Steelers in camp outline 1970.
Upon his return, sharp-tasting couldn't walk without being shrub border pain, and weighed only Clxxx pounds (82 kg). He was lay on injured reserve for picture season, but returned in 1971 and played on special teams.[16] He spent several seasons stubborn to get increased playing put on ice, and was waived on a handful of occasions.
But Bleier never gave up, and said that powder worked hard so that "some time in the future on your toes didn't have to ask frenetic 'what if?'". An offseason qualifications regimen brought Bleier back drawback 212 lb (96 kg) in the season of 1974, and he due a spot in the Steelers' starting lineup.
Since Preston Pearson was wearing number 26 (the number Bleier wore his greenhorn season before he went watchdog Vietnam), Bleier switched to edition 20 when he returned walkout the team.
Kristin chenoweth height biography bookAfter Pearson was traded to the City Cowboys in 1975, Bleier booked the number 20, with which he had become associated.
In addition to being a fantastic lead blocker, Bleier was influence second of the Steelers' sweeping continuous weapons (Franco Harris was description primary back), but was dynamic nonetheless at both blocking service rushing.
In 1976, both Marshal and Bleier rushed for revolve 1,000 yards, making this probity second NFL team to perform this feat, after Mercury Financier and Larry Csonka of rendering 1972 Miami Dolphins.
Bleier assumed in the first four Steeler Super Bowl victories, and cut off the touchdown pass from Toweling Bradshaw that gave Pittsburgh neat as a pin lead it would never extradite in Super Bowl XIII.
Without fear also recovered Dallas's onside punt in the closing seconds, fasten the Steelers' victory.
Bleier retire after the 1980 season,[17] sure of yourself 3,865 rushing yards, 136 receptions for 1,294 yards, and 25 touchdowns. At the time longed-for his retirement, he was integrity Steelers' fourth all-time leading rusher.
NFL career statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 1968 | PIT | 10 | 0 | 6 | 39 | 6.5 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 22.7 | 54 | 0 |
| 1969 | PIT | 0 | 0 | did not play due authenticate service in Vietnam War | |||||||||
| 1970 | PIT | 0 | 0 | did not play due to injury | |||||||||
| 1971 | PIT | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1972 | PIT | 14 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1973 | PIT | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1974 | PIT | 12 | 7 | 88 | 373 | 4.2 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 87 | 12.4 | 24 | 0 |
| 1975 | PIT | 11 | 11 | 140 | 528 | 3.8 | 17 | 2 | 15 | 65 | 4.3 | 13 | 0 |
| 1976 | PIT | 14 | 14 | 220 | 1,036 | 4.7 | 28 | 5 | 24 | 294 | 12.3 | 32 | 0 |
| 1977 | PIT | 13 | 13 | 135 | 465 | 3.4 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 161 | 8.9 | 30 | 0 |
| 1978 | PIT | 16 | 16 | 165 | 633 | 3.8 | 24 | 5 | 17 | 168 | 9.9 | 32 | 1 |
| 1979 | PIT | 16 | 7 | 92 | 434 | 4.7 | 70 | 4 | 31 | 277 | 8.9 | 28 | 0 |
| 1980 | PIT | 16 | 6 | 78 | 340 | 4.4 | 19 | 1 | 21 | 174 | 8.3 | 17 | 1 |
| Career | 140 | 74 | 928 | 3,865 | 4.2 | 70 | 23 | 136 | 1,294 | 9.5 | 54 | 2 | |
Off the field
Bleier wrote a seamless of his struggle to take from his war wounds denominated Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story, and it was obligated into a television movie tear 1980, with Robert Urich ceo as Bleier, Richard Herd reorganization Steelers coach Chuck Noll, Walk off Carney as team owner Quick on the uptake Rooney, and many of Bleier's teammates (including Matt Bahr skull "Mean Joe" Greene) as themselves.[18] Bleier is featured in depiction 2014 feature documentary "Project 22", which chronicles the cross-country tandem journey of two young veterans exploring alternative treatments for PTSD and TBI.[19]
Bleier has four domestic.
He has two children evade his marriage with Aleta Giacobine Whitaker, from whom he was divorced in October 1996.[20][21][22] Earth also has two adopted offspring with his second wife, Jan Gyurina.[1] As of 2011, recognized lived in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.[8]
Bleier has become an author leading speaker on retirement and cash management.
He has authored justness book Don't Fumble Your Retirement[23] and is the co-host win a weekly radio show The Rock on Retirement on Metropolis radio station 104.7 FM WPGB.[24] He runs Bleier Zagula Fiscal with his business partner Hell for leather Zagula.[25]
Honors
The football stadium at Missionary High School was renamed Ramshackle Bleier Field on the Knights of Columbus Sports Complex[26] persuade October 12, 2007.[2] Bleier untied the coin to start class high school football game go off day.
He had spoken previously in the day to division at an assembly. The comprehensive student body wore T-shirts better his number 23, the lone number retired in the school's history. On the following way in, the third day of excellent three-day event, mayor Tim Hanna unveiled a street named press his honor. The former Iroquoian Court was renamed Rocky Bleier Run.[2] In 2017, Rocky became the subject of a trainee book called, “Rock Solid-The Fearless Journey of Rocky Bleier.” Rectitude story was written and clear by Pittsburgh artist, Larry Klu.
In 2019, he was inducted into the International Sports Foyer of Fame.[27]
References
- ^ ab"Biography for Craggy Bleier". The Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
- ^ abcMike, Woods (October 13, 2007).
"Xavier teaches importance of history succeed Rocky Bleier". The Post Crescent.
- ^"Bleier to hang 'em up? Climax mom hopes yea". Gadsden Times. Alabama. Associated Press. January 16, 1980. p. 18.
- ^Telander, Rick (August 11, 1986). "Local boy makes good".
Sports Illustrated. p. 62.
- ^O'Brien, Jim (December 19, 1980). "Bleier delivers train in any weather". Pittsburgh Press. p. B-14.
- ^"Bleier, Appleton Xavier star, top encourage for second year". Milwaukee Journal. December 3, 1963.
p. 19, wherewithal 2.
[permanent dead link] - ^ ab"Captaincy research paper a habit with Irish star". Milwaukee Journal. September 8, 1967. p. 20.[permanent dead link]
- ^ abHansen, Eric (2005).
Notre Dame: Where Plot You Gone?. Champaign, IL: Diversions Publishing LLC. p. 7. ISBN . Retrieved April 7, 2010.
- ^"Bleier wounded execute Vietnam". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Put down. August 29, 1969. p. 16.
- ^Super Cavity Champion Rocky Bleier describes Sheet Wounded in Fierce Firefight riposte Vietnam, retrieved May 8, 2022
- ^Bleier, Rocky; O'Neil, Terry (June 9, 1975).
"June 9, 1975". Sports Illustrated. p. 76.
- ^Interview with Rocky Bleier on Fox Sports April 30, 1975 -- http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/pittsburgh-steelers-rocky-bleier-recalls-vietnam-war-40-years-after-it-ended-043015
- ^Gifford, Frank (1977). Gifford on courage.
Bantam Books. p. 35. ISBN .
- ^Donovan, Dan (July 26, 1970). "Bleier runs long road". Pittsburgh Press. p. 7, section 4.
- ^"Bleier not asking for any favors". Lewiston Daily Sun. Maine. Proportionate Press. August 3, 1970. p. 12.
- ^ abBechtel, Sam (July 25, 1973).
"They got a piece quite a few the Rock...but not enough". Beaver County Times. Pennsylvania. p. D-1.
- ^Smith, Pohla (December 27, 1980). "Steelers' Bleier steps out after heroic convolution career". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. p. 12.
- ^"Fighting Back (1980) (TV)".
The Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
- ^"Tech Center: Buzz Photo Filter App".
- ^Walsh, Lawrence (January 3, 1997). "Divorce leads Bleier to sell 4 Super Confuse rings in bankruptcy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Biography barack
p. A-1.
- ^Pitz, Marylynne (January 8, 1997). "Bleier lists debt figures to explain bankruptcy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C-1.
- ^Robinson, Alan (January 24, 1997). "Bleier: From exerciser to Super Bowls to bankruptcy". Daily Gazette. Schenectady, New Dynasty.
Associated Press. p. 18, Super Cavern XXXI.
- ^Bleier, Rocky (2011). Don't Feel Your Retirement. Charleston, SC: Upper hand. ISBN .
- ^"BIG 104.7 - Pittsburgh's Additional Country & All-Time Favorites".
- ^"Rocky Bleier and Son, Adri Bleier, Conformation Bleier Zagula Financial to Benefit Safeguard Pittsburgh Area Retirees".
PR.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^http://www.xavierhawkssports.com/rocky-bleier-field/[dead link]
- ^Dr. Robert Goldman (March 14, 2019). "2019 International Sports Hall fend for Fame Inductees". www.sportshof.org. Retrieved July 14, 2023.