Honoring Veterans today with a Rocky story and painting.

 

It’s been 36 years since Rocky Bleier retired from the NFL.  For many of a certain age his name is familiar. I suspect for most people today – it’s probably not.  He wasn’t exactly a superstar or Hall of Fame player.  In fact Rocky Bleier by all statistical definition was a rather ordinary NFL player. He just happened to be an extraordinary human being with an extraordinary story.    

In 1964 a high school football star from Appleton Wisconsin named Rocky Bleier, went off to play for Notre Dame and newly hired coach Ara Parseghian (still the best coaching name ever).  Fifty years ago this month Rocky played in “the game of the century” (one of several so named).    Undefeated Notre Dame (ranked #1) battled to a 10 -10 tie against undefeated (ranked #2) defending champion Michigan State in Lansing, Michigan.  Both teams were star studded with names like Bubba Smith, Alan Page, George Kunz, Gene Washington, George Webster, Clint Jones and others too – like Jim Lynch and Bob Kuechenberg.   Rocky ended up being the Irish’s leading rusher.   A few weeks later Notre Dame won their first National Championship in 17 years.   Parseghian went on to become a legend. 

Rocky gets drafted.   Twice. 

Rocky was first drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 16^th round in spring of 1968.  Given little chance to make the team he appeared in 10 games - mostly on special teams.  He was drafted again in December of 1968 by the US Army.  Most NFL players were given a 1-A Classification and if drafted they typically served in the reserves.  Rocky wasn’t so lucky.  He went from the NFL to boot camp and then Vietnam by May 1969.  In August a fire fight left him bleeding in a rice paddy after a grenade exploded under his feet.  He had already been shot in the thigh.  Carried by four of his fellow soldiers he made the long, painful trek out of the jungle at night to be airlifted out.  He eventually ended up in a hospital in Tokyo and earned the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.  Check out his story here – the detail and his perspective both then and now is worth the read:  Rocky's story in Fox Sports

 

The long road back and Art Rooney. 

Told he would never play football again and probably never walk normally – Rocky began his journey back.  After being waived by new head coach Chuck Noll who was trying to build a football team – Steeler owner Art Rooney changed Rocky’s status to Injured Reserve which meant he was paid full salary.  This allowed Rocky to focus all his attention on recovery while having full access to team facilities.  Rooney also had him treated by team doctors despite Rocky having access to the VA.  Noll waived Rocky again in 1971 but Rooney put him on the Taxi Squad to give him one more year.  In the summer of 1972 Bleier shocked Noll and other coaches by increasing his speed dramatically. He subsequently he made the team.  

Noll's Steelers put strong emphasis on special teams often using starters (a practice seldom done).  Rocky became a special teams super star long before becoming a starter however.  In mid-season 1974, Noll was searching for a more effective running game when he discovered Rocky could block.  Future hall of famer Franco Harris had a new running mate and the combination clicked almost immediately.  The Steelers became the top rushing team in the league and Rocky slowly emerged to be more than a blocker.  In the playoffs that year he caught a TD pass against Buffalo and rushed for 95 yards in upsetting the Raiders.  He continued with 65 yards rushing in Super Bowl IX.  At that point Rocky Bleier’s story became known.  This unlikely Super Bowl hero was also a decorated Vietnam veteran with half a foot.

 

Rocky Bleier became an inspiration for all who served and everyone else for that matter. He also became a vital part of a team that would win four Super Bowls. He possessed the rare ability to be at his best in big moments and big games.  He ran for 51 yards in SB X.  Caught a TD pass in SB XIII AND recovered the onside kick that ended the game.  He came up big in AFC Title game against Houston in 1979 making big plays late including scoring the sealing touchdown.  He also ran for over 1,000 yards in 1976!   Now I ask who does all this?   This story reads like Forest Gump fiction but it's not. 

This painting is of a Sport Illustrated cover in December 1976 when Rocky Bleier was at the apex of his career.  This was an late season game in Cincinnati during a blizzard.  The Steelers had to win to stay alive and they eventually prevailed 7 – 3.  It is a hand crafted and painted frame total size being 19”x 23”   I used image transfer technique to highlight key moments of Rocky Bleier’s life before, during and after his time in Vietnam. Acrylic medium is perfect for this.  Canvas with a wood frame.