He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star while serving in the Vietnam War. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in the new American century.With the same optimism, sense of humor and steadfast determination that were his trademarks as a Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Rocky Bleier takes audiences from his early years through his professional career and talks about the lessons he learned along the waylessons from which we can all benefit. His wife is Jan Gyurina (13 April 1996 - present) ( 2 children), Aleta Giacobine Whitaker (7 September 1975 - 2 October 1996) ( divorced) ( 2 children) Rocky Bleier Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Full schedule: All 16 games The 73-year-old is wearing a tan Hawaiian shirt and black sunglasses, sipping wheat ale in a downtown Pittsburgh restaurant and generously chatting up random fans who approach him. Sports Illustrated Covers 1975 1979 1975. Bleier considers his return to Vietnam important for the raw perspective of post-war trauma, but he has no desire to go back now. His odds worsened after being wounded in Vietnam, which required diligent rehab to both legs. . Lebanon High School grad awarded prestigious music prize. Art Jr. has lived in Mt. Rocky Bleier, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient who has actively supported causes related to military veterans for many years, will donate a portion of the proceeds to Guardian Angel Service Dogs. He authored the autobiographical work, Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story. "I use what I do best -- talk to people," Bleier said. His ex-wife, who now lives in San Diego, agreed to cut $300,000 from the debt, but no more; Bleier offered a flat payment of $250,000. He was a National Football League (NFL) halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1970 to 1980. If something happens to you, where does it go, and do you want your kids or wife to deal with it?. Football jock Rocky Bleier makes it all the way to the pros with the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to be drafted in the Vietnam War. Receiving wounds from both rifle fire and grenade fragments in his legs, he was barely able to walk and his professional football career seemed to have ended before it began For more than two years, he drove himself. While on patrol in Hiep Duc in August 1968, Bleier was shot in the left thigh by an enemy bullet. He was also seriously injured when an enemy grenade sent shrapnel into his right leg. Save a few knee surgeries and wiry gray hair, Bleier moves and acts like a 50-year-old, telling stories with the pace of a dive play up the middle for a quick 10 yards. Most are familiar with the Catholics vs Convicts episode and the price some of the ND students paid for involvement with the shirt. PITTSBURGH Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier has hocked his Super Bowl rings and filed for bankruptcy. Since Preston Pearson was wearing number 26 (the number Bleier wore his rookie season before he went to Vietnam), Bleier switched to number 20 when he returned to the team from Vietnam. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Running back Rocky Bleier of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs behind the blocking of offensive linemen Sam Davis, Jon Kolb, Jim Clack and Mike Webster as. He also has two adopted children with his second wife, Jan Gyurina. He adopted two children with his wife Jan Gyurina. The net worth of the supermodel turned entrepreneur is $400 million, Celebrity Net Worth reported. Family Life. In addition to being a great lead blocker, Bleier was the second of the Steelers rushing weapons (Franco Harris was the primary back), but was effective nonetheless at both blocking and rushing. He not only made the Pittsburgh Steelers, but also eventually became a starting running back on a team that won four Super Bowls and became the greatest football team of the 20th century. It is a cause that carries a special attachment for Bleier, who was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his military service. FamousBirthdays.com - use subject to the information collection practices disclosed in our privacy policy. To schedule a booking with Rocky Bleier, please contact your Speakers Bureau. What Pittsburgh Steelers are in the Hall of Fame? He was the son of an African American soldier who served in World War II and an Italian war bride mother. About Rocky Bleier is a 76 year old American Football (American) Player. You have to at least explore them.". Copy and paste this as text into your genealogy software or website Rocky was upset and he said, I dont want to be a scout! He also has two adopted children with his second wife, Jan Gyurina. Bleier said it costs $25,000 to train a dog before it is placed into service. 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. What the collection does not contain are the four Super Bowl rings Bleier earned with the Steelers. As a 5-foot-10 16th-round pick, Bleier was hardly a lock to be a factor in Pittsburgh's offense. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 710 Washington Road, When you look at his statistics over his career, yes, they are not Hall of Fame numbers. He played until 1980 and a very pivotal player in all four Superbowl victories. Greene sees the duality in Bleier, who was once so purple from head to toe after a game that teammates swore he wouldn't practice. NaVOBA (National Owned Veterans Business Association). He spent two full years trying to regain a spot on the active roster, and was even waived on two occasions. But he wasn't done. Upon his return, he couldnt walk without being in pain, and weighed only 180 pounds (82 kg). As of 2011, he lives in Mt. Aleta Whitaker said in a. Siden 1994 har han vrt ekspert og vert for Fox NFL Sunday.Bradshaw er ogs en skuespiller med flere roller i TV-serier og filmer, mest merkbart i filmen Failure to Launch. (Story), What Happened To Greg Lloyd? To schedule a booking with Rocky Bleier, please contact your Speakers Bureau. Jump into the holiday spirit with Rockys delightful new audiobook. Heinz Hall Super Bowl Championship Trophies. . 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. When he did without complaint, "that set the tone for our football team," Greene said. Franco Harris was not alone in rushing for over 1,000 yards in 1976 so, too, did Rocky Bleier, and together, they were only the second pair of NFL players at that time to have done so, . Relation: Name: Birth: Husband: Rocky Bleier: Mar 5 1946: Spotted an error? From that point in time, he would be in the Steelers starting lineup. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He wasn't the kind of guy to be . This is an excerpt from the SC Featured documentary 'The Return' airing Tuesday August 20 on ESPN2. Also, the war was never something that Bleier kept from others, as we hear with so many other veterans. After Pearson was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1975, Bleier kept the number 20, with which he had become associated. He had 928 rushes and 3865 total yards along with 136 receptions for 1294 yards. He maintains a busy schedule of motivational speaking, has business interests with Jans family and is involved in several fund-raising activities. 'He's not afraid' to shake things up: How new president/CEO Kevin Warren could impact the Bears, First look at the divisional round: Previewing all four matchups, every team's reason for optimism, NFL divisional round betting notes: Jaguars, Giants NFL's best underdogs, They said it! In fact, he now admits today's game would probably phase him out, with increasingly little need for a blocking back without 4.4 speed. In 1976, both Harris and Bleier rushed for over 1,000 yards, making this the second NFL team to accomplish this feat, after Mercury Morris and Larry Csonka of the 1972 Miami Dolphins. But before the season ended that first year, he was drafted againthis time by the United States Army. It specializes in the construction of commercial buildings, additions and renovations including planning, design, scheduling, value engineering and sub-contracting. "You know, Rocky worked for me one year in our scouting department," Rooney says. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers top NFL quotes of the week, Dak Prescott rebounds with 'statement game' in Cowboys' wild-card win, 2023 NFL draft order: Top 23 picks set with Bears, Texans, Cardinals at the top, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Previously a college football reporter for CBSSports.com. I wanted him to stay with me. He shipped out to Vietnam after five months and served with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. Bleier never had a passion bigger than football. "I'm done. Experts pick potential landing spots. 2015 Rocky Bleier, Inc. | 711 Filbert Street Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Rocky Bleier does not endorse any political candidates. They can take care of so many needs.. Born Robert Patrick Bleier on 5th March, 1946 in Appleton, Wisconsin, he is famous for 4 Super Bowl Champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV). Those who know him wouldn't expect any less tenacity from a modest athlete who ascended from special-teams contributor to Franco Harris' lead blocker to owner of a 1,000-yard season with Pittsburgh. When we left the restaurant, I heard people calling out to him in the parking lot as he went to his car. Part of the proceeds will go to funding Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, an organization that places service canines with veterans. Rocky Bleier, who shares a home with his wife, Jan, in Virginia Manor, remains a Pittsburgh treasure. When he's not at a speaking engagement or running his Pittsburgh-based construction company, he might be starring in his one-man play, "Rocky Bleier's The Play," which he calls an intimate portrait of his multifaceted life as Super Bowl champion, wounded warrior, family man and community activist. 2023 Caniry - All Rights Reserved Bleier graduated from Xavier High School in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1964; while in high school, Bleier starred in football and basketball. 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 wanted to give him time to recover so he could play again. Coach Mike Tomlin said he respected and appreciated Bleier's criticisms despite the ex-Steeler taking aim at him. lives with his wife, Aleta, and two children and runs Bleier & Bleier, his marketing company, and Rocky Bleier Enterprises, which handles his speaking and advertising endeavors. He's supported veterans by spreading the word about non-profit programs such as Veterans Guardian Angels Inc., designed to aid post-traumatic transitioning. Despite his $40 million salary from his NFL team, Patrick Mahomes net worth at the moment is a cool $30 million. It wasnt easy, Bleier said. This article related to an American TV movie is a stub. Bundchens net worth comes from her successful modeling career, according to the website, her annual salary is $40 million and it is unknown how much her new contract with The Lions Management will bring in. His parents owned a bar called Belier's Bar and it was there that Bleier got his permanent nickname. 1996: Relatives. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in the new American century. He visited Vietnam with ESPN to honor the 50-year anniversary of his tour there, returning to the spot where he absorbed an enemy rifle shot to the left thigh and grenade injury to his right leg and foot in a 1969 platoon ambush. "Rocky had the ability to smile and laugh at himself, but he had the greatest admiration for other people," Greene said. After being attended to by ESPN producers, Bleier, as always, was quickly back on his feet. He caught an important touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw during Super Bowl XIII. Presents for Patients 2014 Pittsburgh. It came to that time of my life, Bleier said. I guess I was wrong.. Not only does he walk again after a long rehabilitation, Rocky returns to train with the Steelers. Pittsburgh, PA 15228, PHONE 412.343.3407 He was as wrong as the doctors who told Rocky hed be lucky enough to walk again, let alone play football. We need you. First 20,000 copies will be autographed by Rocky Bleier! Most Popular #101323. One woman stood and nearly genuflected in front of him, as if he were a religious icon. The football stadium at Xavier High School was renamed Rocky Bleier Stadium on October 12, 2007. They are trained to take care of emotional needs, nightmares, Bleier said. This article about a biographical film is a stub. Rocky was good at scouting, says Rooney. Bleier said Guardian Angels has placed over 300 dogs with veterans. On the following day, the third day of the three-day event, city mayor Tim Hanna unveiled a street named in his honor. Scott directed the premiere of Rocky Bleier in The Play at Heinz Hall, and has directed for Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre (James Joyce's The Dead, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre), Opera Theater of Pittsburgh (A Little Night Music, Candide), and his own adaptation of Peer Gynt with composer . Copy to clipboard. (7:26). Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier is a former National Football League halfback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1971 to 1980. This was. When no settlement was reached, Bleier filed for. I mean, they've ripped my heart out," Bleier said. He adopted two children with his wife Jan Gyurina. PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Rocky Bleier isn't sure how his valiant story -- from Purple Heart honoree in the Vietnam War to four-time Super Bowl winner with the Pittsburgh Steelers -- would have played . A portion of the proceeds benefit the Fighting Back For Veterans Campaign. Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, Bleier returns to the U.S., and told he will never walk again. The former Oneida Court was renamed Rocky Bleier Run. He always loved the way a locker room united, and he's been trying to draw people together ever since. We have no records of past relationships for Rocky Bleier. The auction began Sunday and concludes at 10 p.m. Dec. 6. He has two children from his marriage with Aleta Giacobine Whitaker, from whom he was divorced in October 1996. How long was He sold his Super Bowl rings for $10,000 apiece to pay federal income taxes, but still owes $72,000 to the IRS and $8,750 in state income taxes. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Fighting Back For Veterans Campaign. Also, the medals he received for his service in Vietnam are not part of the collection. [1] References [ edit] He went back to Vietnam this year to film a TV show about his experience that will be aired this fall. He sold his Super Bowl rings for $10,000 apiece to pay federal income taxes, but still owes $72,000 to the IRS and $8,750 in state income taxes. ]]Bleier wrote a book of his struggle to recover from his war wounds called Fighting Back: 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 Greene) as themselves. 2023 Mt Lebanon Magazine. I spoke with him over breakfast as I was putting the finishing touches on my book, Franco, Rocky & FriendsIt Pays to be a Good Guy. Bleier retired after the 1980 season with 3,865 rushing yards, 136 receptions for 1,294 yards, and 25 touchdowns. Just a year ago, though, it was a different story for Bleier. ", Steelers legend makes emotional return to Vietnam (7:26), Steelers' Rocky Bleier continues to live his American dream, Tracing the rise of Josh Allen: Behind-the-scenes stories of how he got here, Recovering Hamlin at Bills facility almost daily, Titans name top Niners exec Carthon as new GM, Rodgers mulling future with Packers or elsewhere, Source: Johnson tells Lions he'll return as OC, Cowboys stick with kicker Maher, expect rebound, Eagles' Hurts: 'Got a bounty on me every week', Chargers fire OC Lombardi after playoff collapse, Browns hire Schwartz as defensive coordinator. From the SC Featured documentary 'The return ' airing Tuesday August 20 on ESPN2 son of African! He has no desire to go back now Medical service Dogs, an organization places... Construction of commercial buildings, additions and renovations including planning, design,,!, '' Bleier said Guardian Angels Inc., designed to aid post-traumatic transitioning it came to that of. 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