- published: 11 Apr 2015
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Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier (born March 5, 1946) is a former National Football League halfback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1971 to 1980.
He was nicknamed "Rocky" as a baby. Bleier said "As the first born of the family, my dad was proud, as all parents are." And the guys would come into the bar and say 'Bob, how's that new kid of yours?' And my dad would go 'Aw, you should see him, guys, looks like a little rock sitting in that crib. He's got all these muscles.' I'm a little fat baby. So they'd come back in the bar and they'd say 'Hey Bob, how's that little rock of yours?' So after that, that's how I got it. It stuck."
Bleier graduated from Xavier High School in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1964; while in high school, Bleier starred in football and basketball. In football, he was a three time All-State pick as running back, and also won All-Conference honors at both linebacker and defensive back.
He graduated from University of Notre Dame in 1968 with a degree in business management, in addition to starring in football. He was a member of their 1966 National Championship team, captain of the 1967 squad, and was teammates & friends with quarterback Terry Hanratty, who would later be his teammate with the Steelers.
Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story (1980) [Full TV Movie]
About Rocky Bleier: From Vietnam to Football Legend
God, Country, Notre Dame - Rocky Bleier
Pittsurgh Steelers (1980)
Rocky Bleier on Being Your Best
Vietnam Veteran, Steeler Great Rocky Bleier visits VA
Steelers - Bleier SBXIII TD#3
Vietnam Veteran, Super Bowl Champion Rocky Bleier visits VA
Salute to Vietnam Veterans and NFL Legends Roger Staubach, Rocky Bleier
Pittsburgh Steelers' Rocky Bleier at Academy's 1986 Awards of Sport
Keynote Speaker: Rocky Bleier • Presented by SPEAK Inc.
2012 ICAS Convention Keynote Presentation by Rocky Bleier
Roger Staubach, Rocky Bleier Join Veterans At The Pentagon To Commemorate Vietnam 50th
Catching Up With Rocky Bleier '68
Actors: Art Carney (actor), Bonnie Bedelia (actress), Howard Cosell (actor), Bubba Smith (actor), Richard Herd (actor), Fred Karlin (composer), Robert Urich (actor), Barton Heyman (actor), Stacy Keach Sr. (actor), Raymond Serra (actor), Sandy McPeak (actor), Peggy McCay (actress), Joe Spano (actor), Joe Shelby (actor), Bernie McInerney (actor),
Plot: Football jock Rocky Bleier (Urich) makes it all the way to the pros with the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to be drafted in the Vietnam war. Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, Bleier returns to the States told he will never walk again. However, after a lengthy, grueling rehabilitation (and several slow motion sequences to thumping soundtrack music) Bleier ultimately walks again. Soon, he trains with his old team for inspiration. Boss Art Rooney (Art Carney)'s sympathy and regard for Bleier pays off when Bleier improbably comes all the way back, ultimately playing for a Superbowl Championship with the Steelers. But are all the good feelings and inspiration Bleier engenders enough to carry him to an NFL championship?
Keywords: american-football, based-on-book, vietnam-war