The doctors told him that he would never be able to walk again but he didnt let that stop him. Rocky bleier updates book fighting back to raise money. Rocky bleier eagles talent nfl running back vietnam war. Rocky bleier s story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and organizations to reach their greatest potential. Dec 27, 2008 rocky bleier s story is one of the most gripping tales of courage and determination that i have ever heard. The rocky bleier story, a madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier. However, against tremendous odds he fought his way back and became a fourtime super bowl champion. 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. Fighting back special edition, autographed by rocky bleier. Rocky s story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. Sep 01, 1975 when rocky bleier got off the plane he just happened to have with him a copy of fighting back. Meet rocky bleier at the western pennsylvania sports.
I had read fighting back before and i knew who rocky bleier was. Fighting back tells the story of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier and his journey through football and fighting in the vietnam war. Jul 08, 2019 rocky bleier is hosting a program monday at the heinz history center focused on his story of service and the new edition of his book, fighting back. Rocky bleier updates book fighting back to raise money for. The play with rocky bleier is available now for your regional theater or group to book. He started 11 straight years for the steelers and was selected to the. 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. Fighting back 1980 abc sunday night movie opening youtube.
Rocky bleier presentation and book signing concordia is honored to host former pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier on friday, dec. The hard lessons rocky bleier learned early in his life that helped him overcome adversity and reach his goals, have paid off after football. Apr 11, 2015 i do not own any rights fighting back is a 1980 movie about the real life of pittsburgh steelers halfback rocky bleier. The first edition, written by bleier and terry oneil, was released in 1975 and chronicled bleiers story of being wounded in the vietnam war in 1969 but beating the odds and returning to the steelers. Written with noted journalist terry oneil, it was acclaimed not for its account of a football player, but of a soldier during wartime. Rbvetco is a servicedisabled, veteranowned company. Sorin hall, also known as sorin college,2 is the oldest of the 30 residence halls on the campus of the university of notre dame and one of the 16 male dorms.
Shell was a member of the steelers famed steel curtain defense in the 1970s shell retired as the nfl strong safety career leader in interceptions with 51. The rocky bleier story is a 1980 madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier, portrayed by robert urich. Sep 04, 2018 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. His speech, be the best you can be encourages audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments. Dan rooneys story from the super bowl to the rooney rule. Still, bleier thinks that his story though previously told in his book fighting back and its 1980 tvmovie adaptation is known to many people only in broad strokes, and that younger. Football jock rocky bleier makes it all the way to the pros with the pittsburgh steelers, only to be drafted in the vietnam war.
Concordia is honored to host former pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier on friday, dec. A portion of the proceeds benefit the fighting back for veterans campaign. Rocky bleiers story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and. Rocky then won a super bowl with the steelers and still kept playing football. 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 bleiers teammates including matt bahr and mean joe. Pittsburgh steelers great rocky bleier related his classic story of heroism and perseverance in his 1975 memoir, fighting back.
Rocky bleier played at notre dame and for the pittsburgh steelers. The inspirational journey of american hero rocky bleier, you will not only have the opportunity to be motivated by bleiers compelling story of recovery and triumph, you will also be helping to support men and women who dedicated their lives to protecting our country and our freedoms. The rocky bleier story is a 1980 madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier, portrayed by robert. Share in this rare opportunity to witness rocky bleier in an intimate and unforgettable evening.
The rocky bleier story would likely have ended at this point, except for one simple stroke of luck. Originally aired on abc in 1980, this promo is for. National football league history by team revolvy brain revolvybrain. I felt like we were hanging out at our favorite bar while he was telling me his story. 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. Rocky bleier smiled and posed for photographs with a line of pittsburgh steelers fans, showing them his super bowl ring while autographing copies of his book, fighting back. Now a special edition of the book that contains two additional chapters is available. The rocky bleier story, which depicted his struggle to recuperate following vietnam. The first edition, written by bleier and terry oneil, was released in 1975 and chronicled bleiers story of being wounded in the vietnam war in 1969. This book is about a steelers running back named rocky bleier.
Join steelers great rocky bleier in fighting back for veterans, by purchasing a special autographed edition of his book. The inspirational journey of american hero rocky bleier is narrated by rocky himself. Between 1971 and 1980, bleier took home 4 super bowl rings with the pittsburgh steelers. Robert urich stars as pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier. Rocky bleier stops by to talk about the second edition of his book, fighting back. Dec 14, 2016 still, bleier thinks that his story though previously told in his book fighting back and its 1980 tvmovie adaptation is known to many people only in broad strokes, and that younger. The story of rocky bleier tv movie 1980 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. These lessons are seen between the lines in the popular book on his life, fighting back and on stages of speaking appearances around the country. Rocky bleier in partnership with the leadership league is releasing a special of edition of his book, fighting back.
However, after a lengthy, grueling rehabilitation, bleier ultimately walks again. For those who would like to read a great book, rocky teamed up with terry oneill to write fighting back, a great education in. 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. The story of rocky bleier 1980, the nfl on cbs 1956 and backstreet justice 1994. Enjoy a look through rockys life with the 40 page photo insert. 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. Fighting back hardcover october 1, 1980 by rocky bleier author. Rocky is one of the owners and managing members of rbvetco. Rockys story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. First 20,000 copies will be autographed by rocky bleier. Almost 30 years after his final game, rocky bleier remains one of the most popular players in the history of pittsburgh sports.
The official fan page of the former pittsburgh steeler, four time super bowl champion. What could be a better story than a young man who wanted to play football but got drafted to go to vietnam instead. Rocky bleier the official fan page, pittsburgh, pa. Rocky bleier discuses 2nd edition of fighting back youtube. Notably, he served in vietnam and 40 years after the war ended, the former running back recalls that part of his life and this. Rocky bleier eagles talent nfl running back vietnam. 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.
Fighting back by rocky bleier hardcover book steelers pro shop. Fighting back, the rocky bleier story is a very well made tv movie from the early 80s. Intro to the december 7, 1980 abc sunday night movie airing of fighting back. For decades, fighting back served as a shining example of courage and determination for people in all walks of life. 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. Rocky bleier, a purple heart and bronze star recipient who has actively. Rocky bleier was born on march 5, 1946 in appleton, wisconsin, usa as robert patrick bleier. The impact was so much deeper hearing the story from mr.
Rocky bleier is hosting a program monday at the heinz history center focused on his story of service and the new edition of his book, fighting back. It specializes in the construction of commercial buildings, additions and renovations including planning, design, scheduling, value engineering and subcontracting. Meet rocky bleier at the western pennsylvania sports museum. Rocky bleier the official fan page january 19 when i look back at success and whatever has happened in my life, it is part of being a group of people that helped raise your stature in the world of sports and in this city. Rocky bleier is a football player who was in the army and got shot. May 25, 2010 from december 1986, this promo is for the madefortv movie fighting back.
Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, bleier returns to the u. Steelers legend rocky bleier returns to vietnam 50 years. These lessons are seen between the lines in the popular book on his life, fighting back. The first 10,000 copies will be personally autographed by rocky. 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. Fighting back hardcover 1975 by rocky bleier author. John embling lewis fitzgerald, i can jump puddles, breaker morant is a dedicated teacher trying to make a difference in the world of education. Bleier signs an autograph at the north dakota national guards 2009 safety conference in bismarck. Bleier wrote a book of his struggle to recover from his war wounds called fighting back. The inspirational journey of american hero rocky bleier. Fighting back by rocky bleier, terry oneil, paperback. I wanted a refresh on his story and downloaded this version of the story. The story of football player rocky blier who went from fighting in vietnam to becoming a superbowl champion. Bleier, who was just announced as a member of the steelers hall of honor class of 2018, released a special edition of his book fighting back as a part of the fighting back for veterans campaign.
Buy the book framed through parallels to football and rocky bleiers 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. It is one of the greatest comebacks in sports history told by a man who, seriously wounded in vietnam, was described by the u. Jul 31, 2018 jtf is honored to be a part of the fighting back for veterans campaign, officially announced today. Then rocky started to play football again and he was not as tall and not as big as all of the other people. Fighting back for veterans joint training facility.
Buy the book framed through parallels to football and rocky bleiers 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. The story of rocky bleier, the pittsburgh steeler running back who, though seriously wounded in. Donnie shell born august 26, 1952 is a former american football strong safety for the pittsburgh steelers in the national football league between 1974 and 1987. Rocky bleiers fighting back is back with two new chapters. Rocky bleier recalls vietnam war, 40 years after it ended. The first 10,000 copies will be hand signed by rocky and every purchase benefits a veteran. Rocky bleier, a purple heart and bronze star recipient who has actively supported causes related to military veterans for many years.
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