The rocky bleier story is a 1980 madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier, portrayed by robert urich. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success 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 bleier s teammates including matt bahr and mean joe. Dec 27, 2008 rocky bleier s story is one of the most gripping tales of courage and determination that i have ever heard. The story of rocky bleier 1980, the nfl on cbs 1956 and backstreet justice 1994. This book is about a steelers running back named rocky bleier. Jul 31, 2018 jtf is honored to be a part of the fighting back for veterans campaign, officially announced today. Written with noted journalist terry oneil, it was acclaimed not for its account of a football player, but of a soldier during wartime.
Bleier was drafted by the pittsburgh steelers, who were owned by a gentleman named arthur j. The rocky bleier story is a 1980 madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier, portrayed by robert. Rocky bleier eagles talent nfl running back vietnam. I do not own any rights fighting back is a 1980 movie about the real life of pittsburgh steelers halfback rocky bleier. Robert urich stars as pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier. Fighting back tells the story of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier and his journey through football and fighting in the vietnam war. 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. Dan rooneys story from the super bowl to the rooney rule. Meet rocky bleier at the western pennsylvania sports. Bleier signs an autograph at the north dakota national guards 2009 safety conference in bismarck. 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.
Fighting back by rocky bleier, terry oneil, paperback. It is one of the greatest comebacks in sports history told by a man who, seriously wounded in vietnam, was described by the u. 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 play with rocky bleier is available now for your regional theater or group to book. Share in this rare opportunity to witness rocky bleier in an intimate and unforgettable evening. Rocky bleier updates book fighting back to raise money. The story of rocky bleier, the pittsburgh steeler running back who, though seriously wounded in. These lessons are seen between the lines in the popular book on his life, fighting back. 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 10,000 copies will be personally autographed by rocky. Rocky bleier stops by to talk about the second edition of his book, fighting back.
Rocky bleier s story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and organizations to reach their greatest potential. For those who would like to read a great book, rocky teamed up with terry oneill to write fighting back, a great education in. Rocky bleier, a purple heart and bronze star recipient who has actively. 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. I felt like we were hanging out at our favorite bar while he was telling me his story. First 20,000 copies will be autographed by rocky bleier. It specializes in the construction of commercial buildings, additions and renovations including planning, design, scheduling, value engineering and subcontracting. Intro to the december 7, 1980 abc sunday night movie airing of fighting back. Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, bleier returns to the u. Rocky bleier was born on march 5, 1946 in appleton, wisconsin, usa as robert patrick bleier.
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. The official fan page of the former pittsburgh steeler, four time super bowl champion. Rocky s story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. His speech, be the best you can be encourages audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments. The rocky bleier story, which depicted his struggle to recuperate following vietnam. The hard lessons rocky bleier learned early in his life that helped him overcome adversity and reach his goals, have paid off after football. 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. National football league history by team revolvy brain revolvybrain. The rocky bleier story is a 1980 madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier, portrayed by robert urich 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. Fighting back hardcover october 1, 1980 by rocky bleier author. 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. Rocky bleier discuses 2nd edition of fighting back youtube. The first 10,000 copies will be hand signed by rocky and every purchase benefits a veteran.
Almost 30 years after his final game, rocky bleier remains one of the most popular players in the history of pittsburgh sports. However, after a lengthy, grueling rehabilitation, bleier ultimately walks again. 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. Rocky bleier the official fan page, pittsburgh, pa.
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 bleier played at notre dame and for the pittsburgh steelers. The rocky bleier story, a madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier. Rocky bleiers story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and. I had read fighting back before and i knew who rocky bleier was. The story of football player rocky blier who went from fighting in vietnam to becoming a superbowl champion. 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. Had bleier been a philadelphia eagle, he would probably be my favorite athlete of all time. For decades, fighting back served as a shining example of courage and determination for people in all walks of life.
Meet rocky bleier at the western pennsylvania sports museum. 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. He started 11 straight years for the steelers and was selected to the. Fighting back, the rocky bleier story is a very well made tv movie from the early 80s. 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. Rocky bleier updates book fighting back to raise money for. Rocky bleier eagles talent nfl running back vietnam war.
Steelers legend rocky bleier returns to vietnam 50 years. 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. May 25, 2010 from december 1986, this promo is for the madefortv movie fighting back. 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 impact was so much deeper hearing the story from mr.
What could be a better story than a young man who wanted to play football but got drafted to go to vietnam instead. Bleier wrote a book of his struggle to recover from his war wounds called fighting back. Rbvetco is a servicedisabled, veteranowned company. Originally aired on abc in 1980, this promo is for.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the fighting back for veterans campaign. Rockys story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. From december 1986, this promo is for the madefortv movie fighting back. 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. Rocky bleier recalls vietnam war, 40 years after it ended.
Concordia is honored to host former pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier on friday, dec. Rocky bleiers fighting back is back with two new chapters. 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. 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. 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. Between 1971 and 1980, bleier took home 4 super bowl rings with the pittsburgh steelers. Fighting back special edition, autographed by rocky bleier. The play provides a poignant introspective glimpse of a living legend. Rocky then won a super bowl with the steelers and still kept playing football.
Fighting back by rocky bleier hardcover book steelers pro shop. 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. Pittsburgh steelers great rocky bleier related his classic story of heroism and perseverance in his 1975 memoir, fighting back. Rocky bleier, a purple heart and bronze star recipient who has actively supported causes related to military veterans for many years. 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. The rocky bleier story would likely have ended at this point, except for one simple stroke of luck. 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. 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. Rocky is one of the owners and managing members of rbvetco.
Wkbd fighting back promo rocky bleier robert urich youtube. 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. Sep 01, 1975 when rocky bleier got off the plane he just happened to have with him a copy of fighting back. John embling lewis fitzgerald, i can jump puddles, breaker morant is a dedicated teacher trying to make a difference in the world of education. 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 in partnership with the leadership league is releasing a special of edition of his book, fighting back. 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. Now a special edition of the book that contains two additional chapters is available. He has been married to jan gyurina since april, 1996. 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.
The inspirational journey of american hero rocky bleier. The doctors told him that he would never be able to walk again but he didnt let that stop him. I wanted a refresh on his story and downloaded this version of the story. Rocky bleier presentation and book signing concordia is honored to host former pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier on friday, dec. 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. The story of rocky bleier tv movie 1980 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. 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 1980 abc sunday night movie opening youtube.
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