To Steelers fans, he is known simply as Rocky Bleier, or even 'Rock' for short.
To those in the United States military, he is known differently.
Specialist 4 Robert Patrick Bleier, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient.
So, it should come as no surprise that Bleier is the Steelers nominee for the NFL's Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.
The award recognizes NFL players, coaches, personnel and legends who make a commitment to supporting the military community.
And nobody has made, or continues to make, a commitment like Bleier.
Bleier, who played college football at Notre Dame, was drafted by the Steelers in the 16th round of the 1968 NFL Draft.
Bleier played 11 seasons for the Steelers, was a member of the four Super Bowl teams in the 1970s and is now a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor. He rushed for 3,865 yards and 23 touchdowns, while catching 136 passes for 1,294 yards and two touchdowns in an offense that featured Hall of Famers Franco Harris, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
His life, though, is defined by much more than statistics.
A year after he was drafted by the Steelers, he was drafted into the United States Army and left football to go fight in the Vietnam War. It would change his life.
While on a mission to help others, he suffered an injury he thought would end his football career before it barely got started. He was wounded when enemy gunfire hit him in the thigh and shrapnel from a grenade hit him in his lower legs, causing him to lose part of his right foot, while on a mission with the Charlie Company 4th Battalion (Light), 31st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade while on an attempt to recover the bodies of others killed in an ambush in Hiep Duc. During the recovery attempt four additional soldiers were killed and 25 others were wounded, including Bleier.
Bleier left with his life, but assumed his football career was over.
That wasn't the case.
Bleier received the support of Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. throughout his time in Vietnam, and upon his return with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Rooney allowed him the opportunity to work his way back onto the field, which he eventually did for the 1971 season.
Bleier could have easily given up football, but instead fought back and served as an inspiration to all.
"When I came here, especially trying to make a professional football team, I didn't know what the future would hold," said Bleier. "I know the biggest part of my life has been in Pittsburgh, with an organization and a family like the Rooney family and how they ran the organization. Whatever success I have is tied directly to an opportunity, being given a chance, being a teammate with all of those Hall of Famers, being on a team that won those four Super Bowls and dominated the imagination of Steelers fans and football fans around the world. I understand that. It's not that I individually had great talents. I was surrounded by a group that had great standards.
"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."
Bleier returned to Vietnam in 2018 for the first time since he was injured for an ESPN documentary, 'The Return.' He went there on the 49th Anniversary of the day he was wounded, for an emotional, raw, and painful visit to the rice field where the attack took place.
Bleier has shared his story, time and again in different manners, but this time he was hoping the way it was shared didn't just help him, but other veterans who also served in Vietnam.
"In hindsight, I look back and I am very happy to have gone back," said Bleier. "I think it gave me the closure I wasn't aware that was needed. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction that if in the end it gives somebody else the closure they need, maybe helps them understand and close things. That would make it all worthwhile."
Because the bottom line is, there is nothing Bleier wants more than to help others.
Bleier wrote a book about the battle to come back from his injury called 'Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story,' which was made into a television movie in 1980. He released a special edition of the book to help the Fighting Back for Veterans campaign. The new release, titled 'Fighting Back: The Inspirational Journey of American Hero Rocky Bleier,' benefitted military veterans' groups, including Veterans Leadership, Joint Training Facility, and Legacies Alive.
"The idea was to be a voice for the veterans today," said Bleier when it was released. "There are new pictures, so it's up-to-date so other generations can enjoy. It's a story. It's one of those timeless stories of overcoming obstacles and perseverance generations need to read."
Bleier, who has remained in Pittsburgh since his playing career ended, has been a staple in the community since his retirement, especially aiding in veteran causes. He speaks to businesses, athletes and fellow veterans about his experiences to help them in their lives.
He currently supports numerous veteran causes, including Operation Strong Vet, Victory Media, and Nationally Owned Veterans Business Association (NaVOBA). He has been involved with the Wounded Warriors Project, Warriors2Citizens, Veterans Job Fair, Operation Check Point, Homeless Vet Run, Vietnam Veterans of America, The Crucible, National Veterans Wheelchair Games, SW Veterans Center, and Veterans Leadership Program.
Bleier is also actively involved with St. Barnabas Health, and has worked with Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics and the United Way.
Bleier is also one of the owners and managing members of RBVetCo, a service-disabled, veteran owned company. RBVetCo specializes in the construction of commercial buildings, renovations and additions.
Bleier starred in, "The Play: With Rocky Bleier," a 90-minute, one-man play that shared his life from wounded warrior, to Super Bowl champion, to family man and community activist.
"He has had an interesting life. An exceptional life," said former teammate and Hall of Famer Lynn Swann when 'The Play' was performed. "Rocky is a hero. He saved lives in Vietnam. He overcame great obstacles just to be able to walk, let alone play football."
Bleier was honored with the NCAA Inspiration Award in 2020, which is presented to a coach or administrator who is actively associated with intercollegiate athletics, or to a current or former varsity letter-winner at an NCAA institution who used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome a life-altering situation and serve as a role model to give inspiration to others in similar situations. For a member of the armed forces confronted with a duty-connected situation to be eligible for the Inspiration Award, the action must be clearly above and beyond the call of duty and so recognized by the appropriate military command.
And no doubt, Bleier checked all those boxes, and continues to check boxes and inspire others.
"The older I get the more I appreciate Rocky and his story and his triumphs," said Hall of Famer and former teammate Mel Blount. "He showed us all about perseverance, commitment and hard work. That determination to accomplish the goals he set.
"He is a guy who showed us how to live and taught us about life's challenges and how to overcome them."
Fans have an opportunity to vote and help determine the award's three finalists. To cast your vote for Rocky, visit NFL.com/SaluteFanVote. From now until November 30, fans can submit one vote per day. Finalists of the award will be announced in January, and the recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally in February during the week of Super Bowl LIX.
As the presenting sponsor of the Salute to Service Award, USAA, will contribute $25,000 in the recipient's name to official aid societies representing all U.S. military branches. The NFL will match USAA's contribution by donating an additional $25,000 to the awardee's military or veteran charity of choice.
The Salute to Service Award is part of the NFL and USAA's year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military and veteran community. Through the Salute to Service initiative, the NFL and its 32 teams come together to honor, empower and connect with service members, veterans and their families. Salute to Service will come to life in NFL stadiums across the country during Weeks 10-12 of the regular season through on-field branding and other game day activations. Visit NFL.com/Salute to learn more.
