Rocky Bleier

  • Vietnam War Hero
  • Former Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back

A courageous soldier who was once told he would never walk again after suffering severe wounds in Vietnam; against all odds, Rocky Bleier recovered and went on to become a legendary running back for the four-time Super Bowl Champion NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rocky Bleier’s story - a gripping tale of courage on both the football fields of America and the battle fields of Vietnam - has held audiences in rapt attention for years. 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 way….lessons that we all can benefit from.

 


Rocky Bleier headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • Capitas Financial, LLC
  • Boston Scientific Corporation
  • People To People Ambassador Programs
  • Pennsylvania Health Care Association
  • International Council of Air Shows
Rave Reviews About Rocky Bleier as a Speaker
Rocky Bleier was great. He was a very personable and fun speaker and made quite an impression on our group! It was exactly what we had hoped for.

Teamwork, Patriotism and Overcoming Challenges - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Rocky Bleier
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Run Harder; Play Smarter

On the field or off, these are lessons for success that Rocky Bleier brings to life with vivid tales from his own experiences. ...

On the field or off, these are lessons for success that Rocky Bleier brings to life with vivid tales from his own experiences.

Leadership Through Teamwork, Perseverance & Hope

Why do some organizations dominate and some lose? What are the ingredients of “real” success? Rocky Bleier’s presentation focuses on winning through perseverance, hope, commitment and trust. Framed through parallels to football and Bleier’s personal journey as both a war veteran and four-time Super ...

Why do some organizations dominate and some lose? What are the ingredients of “real” success? Rocky Bleier’s presentation focuses on winning through perseverance, hope, commitment and trust. Framed through parallels to football and Bleier’s personal journey as both a war veteran and four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bleier will explore both structural and emotional aspects for individuals and organizations to reach their greatest potential. Learn how successful teams and organizations share four characteristics: leadership, people, vision and a shared belief system.

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 courag ...

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.

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Books by Rocky Bleier
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Biography

Rocky Bleier’s story - a gripping tale of courage on both the football fields of America and the battle fields of Vietnam - has held audiences in rapt attention for years. 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 way….lessons that we all can benefit from.

Not falling within the ideal of what a running back should look like, Bleier had to run harder and play smarter to be able to stand out. Despite his drive and ability to make the big play, the Pittsburgh Steelers only considered him a late round pick. But before the season ended that first year, he was drafted again…this time by the United States Army. At the height of the Vietnam War, Bleier was thrust into combat early and was seriously wounded when his platoon ran into an ambush. 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. Little by little he overcame obstacles and fought his way back. 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.

The hard lessons Rocky Bleier learned early in his life that helped him overcome adversity and reach his goals, have paid off after football. These lessons are seen between the lines in the popular book on his life, Fighting Back.