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In 1968, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a flyer on a Notre Dame running back in the 16th round of the NFL Draft. He had an average career at Notre Dame and though he averaged 4.5 yards per carry, he was not a lead back. He had been a key part of the 1966 National Championship Fighting Irish team and a captain of the 1967 team. That pick was Robert Patrick Bleier. His nickname was “Rocky,” and he was the original tough guy.
In 1968, the last season before Chuck Noll, Bleier barely saw the field. He was buried behind Dick Hoak and Earl Gros, appearing in 10 games, and touching the ball 9 times. Chuck Noll took over in 1969, but Rocky Bleier was not going to be part of that camp. Instead, on December 4th, 1968, he was drafted by a different organization and went off to camp. Boot camp that is; he became part of the United States Army. Bleier like many other athletes of the time, was called to serve and he went. He could have used his status as an NFL player like others had before him to find his way into a public relations detail or play exhibition games to boost morale. Bleier could have reminded the army with his college degree he should at least be given a commission and potentially would have been stationed in Europe, or maybe if he were lucky, the Midwest. He did not do either, instead he volunteered to serve in Vietnam as an enlisted man. A decision he later justified saying he did not know if he could look his kids in the eye if he did not.
Bleier was a grenadier in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He served with distinction, earning a bronze star and a purple heart, and leaving behind part of his foot when he was wounded in 1969. His football career was seemingly over. During his recovery in Tokyo, Mr. Art Rooney sent him a letter. It said that the team was not doing well, and they needed him. Mr. Rooney’s generosity and personal relationship with his players is legendary, but the Bleier story perfectly illustrates it. Rocky Bleier was a third string back who had he reported to camp in 1969, might not have made the team under the Chuck Noll purge. But Mr. Rooney reached out and he made sure he knew he was welcome back in Pittsburgh.
Rocky Bleier reported to Steelers camp in 1970. He had dropped down to 180 pounds and every walking step caused him pain. He was in no shape to play, but Pittsburgh put him on injured reserve, and he was paid for the 1970 season. In 1971, Bleier managed to break into six games playing on special teams, but he seemed destined for a short career and to only be remembered for his college and military career. But something happened in the offseason. Bleier worked his tail off and when the team reported for camp in 1972, Bleier shocked the Steelers by running a 4.6 40-yard dash. His previous best when healthy was 4.8. His work ethic inspired the Steelers, and he became a special teams standout in 1972 and 1973. He was a punt and kick coverage demon and set a notable example for his teammates.
In 1974, Bleier got a chance at fullback blocking for Franco Harris starting seven games. The Steelers won their first Super Bowl against the Minnesota Vikings that year and Bleier’s position was cemented as the starting fullback. He started 11 games in 1975 which also ended with a Super Bowl ring against the Dallas Cowboys. In 1976, which Mr. Rooney called the best Steeler team ever, despite losing in the AFC Championship, Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris rushed for 1,000 yards while Terry Bradshaw missed six games due to injury. Rocky and Franco were hurt in the Divisional Round and did not play against Oakland in the championship game. However, Jack Lambert has always said to anyone who would listen if they both had not missed the game against the Raiders, the Steelers would have made three straight Super Bowls.
In 1978, Bleier rushed for 633 yards and the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl after a two-year absence. It was his last year as a full-time starter. Once again, they triumphed over the Cowboys and then Bleier started his 4th and final Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the 1979 season. He returned in 1980, but he was obviously slower and started only six games and called it a career.
Bleier had many big moments for Pittsburgh over the decade of the 1970’s and counting his College National Championship game. Bleier was 5-0 with all the chips on the table. He was not a star, or an All-Pro, but he was the beating heart of the 1970’s team of the decade. They seemed to always find a way, which has become the hallmark of the Steelers since Mr. Rooney carried a 16th round draft pick on the 1970 roster with no seeming upside, except for that it was the right thing to do. When they talk about the Pittsburgh way that has been passed down through the Super Bowl era, playing with pride, heart and never giving up, you rarely hear 50 years later the origins of the tradition. Most newer fans chalk it up to Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin, or the Rooney family. All were important as well as countless great professionals, but if you ask me, where it comes from, I simply smile and chant: “Rocky, Rocky, Rocky!”
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter or Instagram @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
In 1968, the last season before Chuck Noll, Bleier barely saw the field. He was buried behind Dick Hoak and Earl Gros, appearing in 10 games, and touching the ball 9 times. Chuck Noll took over in 1969, but Rocky Bleier was not going to be part of that camp. Instead, on December 4th, 1968, he was drafted by a different organization and went off to camp. Boot camp that is; he became part of the United States Army. Bleier like many other athletes of the time, was called to serve and he went. He could have used his status as an NFL player like others had before him to find his way into a public relations detail or play exhibition games to boost morale. Bleier could have reminded the army with his college degree he should at least be given a commission and potentially would have been stationed in Europe, or maybe if he were lucky, the Midwest. He did not do either, instead he volunteered to serve in Vietnam as an enlisted man. A decision he later justified saying he did not know if he could look his kids in the eye if he did not.
Bleier was a grenadier in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He served with distinction, earning a bronze star and a purple heart, and leaving behind part of his foot when he was wounded in 1969. His football career was seemingly over. During his recovery in Tokyo, Mr. Art Rooney sent him a letter. It said that the team was not doing well, and they needed him. Mr. Rooney’s generosity and personal relationship with his players is legendary, but the Bleier story perfectly illustrates it. Rocky Bleier was a third string back who had he reported to camp in 1969, might not have made the team under the Chuck Noll purge. But Mr. Rooney reached out and he made sure he knew he was welcome back in Pittsburgh.
Rocky Bleier reported to Steelers camp in 1970. He had dropped down to 180 pounds and every walking step caused him pain. He was in no shape to play, but Pittsburgh put him on injured reserve, and he was paid for the 1970 season. In 1971, Bleier managed to break into six games playing on special teams, but he seemed destined for a short career and to only be remembered for his college and military career. But something happened in the offseason. Bleier worked his tail off and when the team reported for camp in 1972, Bleier shocked the Steelers by running a 4.6 40-yard dash. His previous best when healthy was 4.8. His work ethic inspired the Steelers, and he became a special teams standout in 1972 and 1973. He was a punt and kick coverage demon and set a notable example for his teammates.
In 1974, Bleier got a chance at fullback blocking for Franco Harris starting seven games. The Steelers won their first Super Bowl against the Minnesota Vikings that year and Bleier’s position was cemented as the starting fullback. He started 11 games in 1975 which also ended with a Super Bowl ring against the Dallas Cowboys. In 1976, which Mr. Rooney called the best Steeler team ever, despite losing in the AFC Championship, Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris rushed for 1,000 yards while Terry Bradshaw missed six games due to injury. Rocky and Franco were hurt in the Divisional Round and did not play against Oakland in the championship game. However, Jack Lambert has always said to anyone who would listen if they both had not missed the game against the Raiders, the Steelers would have made three straight Super Bowls.
In 1978, Bleier rushed for 633 yards and the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl after a two-year absence. It was his last year as a full-time starter. Once again, they triumphed over the Cowboys and then Bleier started his 4th and final Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the 1979 season. He returned in 1980, but he was obviously slower and started only six games and called it a career.
Bleier had many big moments for Pittsburgh over the decade of the 1970’s and counting his College National Championship game. Bleier was 5-0 with all the chips on the table. He was not a star, or an All-Pro, but he was the beating heart of the 1970’s team of the decade. They seemed to always find a way, which has become the hallmark of the Steelers since Mr. Rooney carried a 16th round draft pick on the 1970 roster with no seeming upside, except for that it was the right thing to do. When they talk about the Pittsburgh way that has been passed down through the Super Bowl era, playing with pride, heart and never giving up, you rarely hear 50 years later the origins of the tradition. Most newer fans chalk it up to Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin, or the Rooney family. All were important as well as countless great professionals, but if you ask me, where it comes from, I simply smile and chant: “Rocky, Rocky, Rocky!”
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter or Instagram @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
