Rocky Bleier Biography

Rocky Bleier is an American former professional American football player. He was a National Football League (NFL) halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1971 to 1980. He is also a Vietnam War veteran.

After his rookie season with the Steelers, Bleier was drafted into the U.S. Army in December 1968. He volunteered for duty in South Vietnam and shipped out for Vietnam in May 1969. On August 20, Bleier was wounded in the thigh by an enemy rifle bullet when his platoon was ambushed in a rice paddy. While he was down, an enemy grenade landed nearby after bouncing off a fellow soldier, sending shrapnel into his lower right leg. He lost part of his right foot in the blast as well. He was later awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

He was told that he would never play football again, but when he was discharged from the military in 1970, he rejoined the Steelers. He had to play on special teams for seasons, but in 1974 he made the Steelers' starting lineup. Bleier played in the first four Steeler Super Bowl victories, and caught the touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw that gave Pittsburgh a lead it would never surrender in Super Bowl XIII. He also recovered Dallas's onside kick in the closing seconds, sealing the Steelers' victory.

Bleier retired after the 1980 season with 3,865 rushing yards, 136 receptions for 1,294 yards, and 25 touchdowns. At the time of his retirement, he was the Steelers' fourth all-time leading rusher.

Bleier has become an author and speaker on retirement and financial management. He has authored the book Don't fumble your retirement and is the co-host of a weekly radio show The Rock on Retirement on Pittsburgh radio station 104.7 FM WPGB.

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Rocky Bleier's expertise is in high demand. To book Rocky Bleier for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Rocky Bleier's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Rocky Bleier's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Rocky Bleier for your next speaking engagement.