Rocky Bleier's story is one of the most gripping tales of courage and determination that I have ever heard. Had Bleier been a Philadelphia Eagle, he would probably be my favorite athlete of all time. As it is, he is still one of my heroes, despite playing for a franchise I despise—the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Robert Bleier was born in 1946, but earned the nickname "Rocky" as a baby when his dad used to bring people over to the crib to see his newborn "rock." Someone came up with the nickname, and it stuck.
Bleier played running back and defensive back in high school, earning All-State honors three times on offense and All-Conference twice on defense.
Bleier accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to the National Championship in 1966. His teammate and quarterback, Terry Hanratty, would later be his teammate on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bleier wasn't drafted until the 16th round of the 1968 NFL draft—the 417th overall pick—by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He received very little playing time as a rookie, carrying just six times for 39 yards, and catching three passes for 68 yards, including a 54-yard screen pass. He also returned six kickoffs and two punts.
Bleier was drafted into the United States Army in December of 1968, as his rookie season was ending. He shipped out to Vietnam after five months and served with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade.
On August 20, 1969, Bleier was on a routine patrol in Heip Duic when his platoon was ambushed in a rice paddy, wounding his left thigh. He was also seriously injured when an enemy grenade sent shrapnel into his right leg.
Bleier was sent to a hospital in Tokyo to ensure proper treatment. While recovering from his injuries, he was informed by doctors that he would never play professional football again.
Bleier says he remembers walking the streets late at night, crying because his world was completely turned upside down. As he says, “Playing football was the only thing I knew how to do.”
Then something happened that changed Bleier's life forever. He received a postcard from Art Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The postcard read “Rock—the team's not doing well. We need you. Art Rooney.”
Bleier had a great deal of respect for Art Rooney.
“When you have somebody take the time and interest to send you a postcard, something that they didn't have to do, you have a special place for those kinds of people,” he said.
Bleier reported to the Steelers' training camp one year after being wounded. He weighed 180 pounds, having lost 30 pounds in a year. He couldn't even walk without being in pain and, not surprisingly, didn't earn a spot on the Steelers' roster.
Bleier spent two full seasons trying to gain a spot on the active roster and was waived twice by the organization.
But he never gave up. He worked for five to six hours a day to get himself into supreme physical shape.
"Some time in the future you won't have to ask yourself 'what if'?” said Bleier of his hard work habits. "I didn't lose a leg. I didn't lose a foot. I was going to come back and play. That was my desire. I wasn't going to go back and run my daddy's bar.”
Bleier finally made the Steelers' roster in 1971. He played in six games, but only on special teams.
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