The official fan page of the former pittsburgh steeler, four time super bowl champion. Rocky bleiers story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and. Now a special edition of the book that contains two additional chapters is available. With robert urich, bonnie bedelia, richard herd, howard cosell. Musing on the ways in which the body and mind are regenerated, he says, i may not be the same person that i was 43 years ago when i was walking the rice paddies of vietnam, or 32 years ago, when i last wore a uniform in the national football league. Oct 28, 2019 rocky bleier updates book fighting back to raise money for veterans servicesraising money to provide services for local veterans is why former pittsburgh steeler rocky bleier is reissuing an. Rocky bleier the official fan page, pittsburgh, pa. Share in this rare opportunity to witness rocky bleier in an intimate and unforgettable evening. However, after a lengthy, grueling rehabilitation, bleier ultimately walks.
Story of rocky bleier his injuries in vietnam and his struggle to return to football. Rocky bleier, a purple heart and bronze star recipient who has actively. The play provides a poignant introspective glimpse of a living legend. Fighting back hardcover january 1, 1975 by rocky bleier author.
Some of those lessons are seen between the lines in the popular book on his life, fighting back, and an abctv movie of the week by the same name. Book recommendations, author interviews, editors picks, and more. A portion of the proceeds benefit the fighting back for veterans campaign. The play with rocky bleier is available now for your regional theater or group to book. For decades, fighting back served as a shining example of courage and determination for people in all walks of life. Not only does he walk again after a long rehabilitation, rocky returns to. The hard lessons rocky bleier learned early in his life that helped him overcome adversity and reach his goals, have paid off after football. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in the new american century. In this inspiring oneman play, he shares the true story that took him from the football field to the battlefield and back where he helped the steelers to four super bowl victories. Then terry oneil, whom he had known at notre dame, put fighting back together and stein and day of new york. The rocky bleier story would likely have ended at this point, except for one simple stroke of luck. He was awarded a purple heart and a bronze star while serving in the vietnam war. And, speaking of help, in your book fighting back, you reference the fellow soldier who carried you 500 yards to safety.
Oct 30, 2017 rocky bleier is back at the oreilly from december 28 thru january 6 in this smash hit, oneman play by gene collier. The rocky bleier story, which was made into a tv movie in 1980. First 20,000 copies will be autographed by rocky bleier. Rocky bleiers 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 is a 1980 madefortelevision movie about the life of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier, starring robert urich. Fighting back, the rocky bleier story is a very well remembered tv movie of the early 1980s. I was pleasantly surprised to get a bit of an inside look into how the nfl works managing players and such, how much work really goes into the off season, and how much interaction. Rocky bleier stops by to talk about the second edition of his book, fighting back.
Rocky s story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. Be there to cheer him on as he tells his own inspiring story, which took him. Rockys story of making a comeback to play professional football after getting injured in vietnam is quite compelling. Sep 01, 1975 rocky took a tape recorder to the super bowl last winter and began talking at it. He authored the autobiographical work, fighting back. The rocky bleier story which was made into a television movie starring robert urich, richard herd and art carney. The story of rocky bleier is the story of courage and perseverance, and is quite poignant despite its movie of the week trappings. Fighting back by rocky bleier hardcover book steelers pro shop. Rocky bleier discuses 2nd edition of fighting back youtube. Injured by a bullet to the thigh and a hand grenade to the lower right leg, rocky is told that he will never walk again. Rocky then won a super bowl with the steelers and still kept playing football.
Rocky then won a super bowl with the steelers and still kept. Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, bleier returns to the u. Rocky bleiers story is one of the most gripping tales of courage and determination that i have ever heard. Bleier wrote a book of his struggle to recover from his war wounds called fighting back. No one ever came forward, and again, i think it was a time of reaction. Buy fighting back by terry oneil, rocky bleier online at alibris. It tells the story of rocky bleier, who, after becoming a running back for the pittsburgh steelers in 1968 was then drafted by the u. However, after a lengthy, grueling rehabilitation, bleier ultimately walks again. He was then drafted into the vietnam war, where he was injured by a grenade, and was told that he would never walk again. Rocky bleier played at notre dame and for the pittsburgh steelers. 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. 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 tells the story of pittsburgh steelers running back rocky bleier and his journey through football and fighting in the vietnam war. The doctors told him that he would never be able to walk again but he didnt let that stop him.
Bleier currently tours the united states, talking to high school students as a motivational. 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. Rocky bleier interview with the wounded vietnam war veteran. The rocky bleier story plot 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. I was pleasantly surprised to get a bit of an inside look into how the nfl works managing players and such, how much work really goes into the off season, and how much interaction the players have with the head coach. Rocky also tours the nation as a motivational speaker inspiring those across the country to be the best that you can be and to never give up.
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. Rocky bleier looks back over his extraordinary life and shares his insights on memory with his audience. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Oct 27, 2010 since his retirement in 1980, rocky has written a book titled fighting back. The story of rocky bleier tv movie 1980 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. I do not own any rights fighting back is a 1980 movie about the real life of pittsburgh steelers halfback rocky bleier. Dec 14, 2016 even amidst the civic icons who are the 1970s super steelers, rocky bleiers story always stood out. An underdog from the start he was the 417th pick in the 1968 nfl draft bleier was. Bleier was drafted by the pittsburgh steelers, who were owned by a gentleman named arthur j. 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. Enjoy a look through rocky s life with the 40 page photo insert. Then rocky started to play football again and he was not as tall and not as big as all of the other people. The story of rocky bleier, the pittsburgh steeler running back who, though seriously wounded in vietnam, was able to train hard and work his way back to playing condition, eventually helping the steelers to win a world championship read more read less click to open popover. Fighting back by terry oneil, rocky bleier alibris.
After a triumphant soldout run at the oreilly this past december, rocky bleier returns by popular demand for nine shows only. Pittsburgh rocky bleier found himself fighting back one last day at three rivers stadium sunday first to score the touchdown that lifted the pittsburgh steelers to a 2116 victory over the. 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. Notably, he served in vietnam and 40 years after the war ended, the former running back recalls that part of his life and this.
Former nfl running back who won four super bowls, ix, x, xiii, and xiv, with the pittsburgh steelers. Quite a story, and thank you for explaining it in such detail. I read the book when i was a kid and finally found and bought it a few years ago. The play pittsburgh official ticket source oreilly. Football jock rocky bleier makes it all the way to the pros with the pittsburgh steelers, only to be drafted 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 bleier s teammates including matt bahr and mean joe. Had bleier been a philadelphia eagle, he would probably be my favorite athlete of all time. See more ideas about pittsburgh steelers, steeler nation and pittsburgh sports. This book is about a steelers running back named rocky bleier. Buy the book framed through parallels to football and rocky bleier s personal journey as a war veteran, national collegiate football champion, and fourtime super bowl champion with the pittsburgh steelers, bleier s story explores both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and organizations to reach their greatest potential.
654 846 824 1270 1061 92 1368 1000 280 494 419 1517 770 625 1113 1436 718 1309 934 1512 261 1452 255 638 1561 1476 707 1453 310 455 460 617 2 884 705