To Steelers fans, he is known simply as Rocky Bleier, or even ‘Rock’ for short.

Those in the United States military know it differently.

Specialist 4 Robert Patrick Bleier, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Bleier is the Steelers’ nominee for the NFL Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.

The award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and legends who are committed to supporting the military community.

And no one has made or continues to make a commitment like Bleier.

Bleier, who played college football at Notre Dame, was selected by the Steelers in the 16th round of the 1968 NFL Draft.

Bleier played 11 seasons for the Steelers, was a member of all 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, however, is defined by much more than statistics.

A year after being 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 that he thought would end his football career before it had even begun. He was wounded when enemy gunfire hit him in the thigh and shrapnel from a grenade hit him in the lower part of his legs, causing him to lose part of his right foot, while on a mission with the 4th Battalion ( Light) of Charlie Company, 31st Infantry. 196th Light Infantry Brigade while attempting to recover the bodies of others killed in an ambush at Hiep Duc. During the recovery attempt, four more soldiers were killed and 25 others were wounded, including Bleier.

Bleier left alive, but assumed his football career was over.

Bleier received support from Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. during his time in Vietnam, and upon his return with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Rooney gave him the opportunity to return to the field, which he finally did in 1971. . season.

Bleier could have easily given up football, but he fought back and served as an inspiration to everyone.

“When I got here, especially trying to start a professional soccer team, I didn’t know what the future would hold,” Bleier said. “I know most of my life has been in Pittsburgh, with an organization and a family like the Rooney family and how they ran the organization. Any success I have is directly related to an opportunity, being given an opportunity, being a teammate With all those Hall of Famers, being on a team that won those four Super Bowls and dominated the imagination of Steelers and football fans around the world, it’s not like I individually had great talents. group that had high standards.

“When I look back, I see the success and everything that has happened in my life, it’s part of being a group of people that helped elevate your stature in the world of sports and in this city.”

Bleier returned to Vietnam in 2018 for the first time since his injury 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 time again in different ways, but this time he hoped that the way it was shared would not only help him, but also other veterans who also served in Vietnam.

“In hindsight, I look back and I’m very happy to be back,” Bleier said. “I think it gave me closure that I didn’t know was needed. It gives me great satisfaction that if in the end it gives someone else the closure they need, maybe it helps them understand and get closure. That would make it all worth it.” grief.”

Because the bottom line is that there is nothing Bleier wants more than to help others.

Bleier wrote a book about the battle to recover 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,’ benefited military veterans groups including Veterans Leadership, Joint Training Facility and Legacies Alive.

“The idea was to be a voice for today’s veterans,” Bleier said when it was published. “There’s new footage, so it’s updated so other generations can enjoy it. It’s a story. It’s one of those timeless stories of overcoming obstacles and perseverance that 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 helping veterans’ causes. Talk to businesses, athletes, and fellow veterans about their experiences to help them in their lives.

He currently supports numerous veteran causes including Operation Strong Vet, Victory Media, and the Nationally Owned Veterans Business Association (NaVOBA). He has been involved with 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 United Way.

Bleier is also one of the owners and managing members of RBVetCo, a service-disabled veteran-owned business. RBVetCo specializes in commercial building construction, 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 to community activist.

“He’s had an interesting life. An exceptional life,” said former teammate and Hall of Famer Lynn Swann when ‘The Play’ was introduced. “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 utilized perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome. a life-changing situation and serves as a role model to inspire others in similar situations. For a member of the armed forces faced with a duty-related situation to be eligible for the Inspiration Award, the action must be clearly beyond the call of duty and therefore must be recognized by command corresponding military.

And without a doubt, Bleier checked all of those boxes and continues to check boxes and inspire others.

“The older I get, the more I appreciate Rocky, his story and his triumphs,” said Hall of Famer and former teammate Mel Blount. “He showed us all the perseverance, commitment and hard work. That determination to achieve the goals he set for himself.

“He’s a guy who showed us how to live and taught us about life’s challenges and how to overcome them.”