*Photo Credit: Rocky Bleier, Inc.
Rocky Bleier
War Veteran and Legendary NFL Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
SPEAKER FEE RANGE: $7,000–$10,000 [FEE NOTE]
TRAVELS FROM: Pennsylvania
Legendary member of the four-time World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Rocky Bleier is one of America's most courageous sportsmen. Crippled by enemy fire during the Vietnam conflict, he fought overwhelming odds and demonstrated the courage and determination to overcome his injuries, becoming one of the NFL's premier running backs. His remarkable story became the subject of the book, Fighting Back, which was recreated in the 1980 ABC-TV movie of the same name. In his presentations, he motivates audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments, employing a dynamic style with real-life stories and an appropriate injection of humor.
Just as Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier was about to wrap up his rookie season in 1968, a teammate called him over to the table the team reserved for fan mail. The former Notre Dame standout was surprised. He was not a high NFL draft pick or a well-known player and, in a few months with the team, had yet to receive any letters of support. When he opened the envelope, though, he realized that was still the case: In his hand was a notification that he had been drafted by the U.S. Army, which was immersed in the Vietnam War. He was due to report the next day. In combat the next year, he suffered grisly injuries that would reshape his life, but improbably, not nudge him off course.
The football player turned soldier turned injured veteran fought his way back to a professional football career that spanned more than a decade. In turn, he has used that story to inspire countless others not to yield in the most difficult circumstances, and he has donated time and energy to helping veterans like him reacclimate to the jarringly different lives they faced when they returned home.
Rocky is a member of the Congressional Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and the Purple Heart Foundation. He is an active board member of the Warriors to Citizens Foundation which is devoted to helping soldiers, police, fire, EMTs and their families recover from the psychological harm caused by career induced stress. Rocky also serves on the board of The National Flag Foundation that was founded to honor and respect our nation’s greatest symbol, the Flag of the United States of America. Rocky started the Rocky Bleier Golf Tournament to support Veterans Village in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Rocky was born in Appleton, Wisconsin and currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA.
The football player turned soldier turned injured veteran fought his way back to a professional football career that spanned more than a decade. In turn, he has used that story to inspire countless others not to yield in the most difficult circumstances, and he has donated time and energy to helping veterans like him reacclimate to the jarringly different lives they faced when they returned home.
Rocky is a member of the Congressional Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and the Purple Heart Foundation. He is an active board member of the Warriors to Citizens Foundation which is devoted to helping soldiers, police, fire, EMTs and their families recover from the psychological harm caused by career induced stress. Rocky also serves on the board of The National Flag Foundation that was founded to honor and respect our nation’s greatest symbol, the Flag of the United States of America. Rocky started the Rocky Bleier Golf Tournament to support Veterans Village in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Rocky was born in Appleton, Wisconsin and currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA.
- Achievement
“Believe in yourself and what you know you can accomplish. Don’t let doubt and uncertainty rob you of the successes you’ve had in the past and steal the great things to come. Truly believe that greatness is on the horizon and your best days are ahead of you.” – R.Bleier - Overcoming Challenges
“Dear Lord, get me out of here, if You can. What I will do is this: I’ll give You my life… to do with whatever You will. Here it is. I’m not going to complain if things go wrong. If things go good, I’ll share my success with everybody around me. Here it is. Whatever You want to do, wherever You want to direct. This is the best I can do.” – R.Bleier - Commitment
“Heros – Real Heros – have one thing in common: Character. It’s self evident. You know it when you see it. Enormous depth, right to the bone, brother.” – R.Bleier - Encouragement
“Act on what we want to do, regardless of any fear we may have. Disregard worry. Choose to do right, to pursue our dreams, to be successful people, to lead the way for others.” – R.Bleier - Perserverance
“Be clear about your dream & vision. Do not worry. Just think about all the the great possibilities and act upon them.” – R.Bleier - Fighting Back
Whether it is career development for corporate executives, enhancing sales and marketing skills for sales teams, offering inspiration for young professionals or practical advice to student athletes, Bleier's delivery is a winner. His message consistently brings audiences to their feet and re energizes them for personal and work challenges ahead. His advice is not about avoiding life's twists and turns, but conditioning yourself to lean into them and to incorporate the resulting energy in realizing goals. Bleier's program motivates audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments. He draws parallels between the challenges he faced in the past and the challenges all business people face in today's crowded, competitive marketplace. - Be the Best You Can Be
Rocky Bleier motivates audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments. His dynamic style is coupled with real-life stories that are told from a first person perspective. Those stories about his fabled comeback from Vietnam injuries to Super Bowl star are utterly inspiring for their courage and determination. He brings it together with a warm, self-reflective humor that audiences really relate to. With real world practicality, he points out ways to reach new levels of inner confidence.
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