The Most Incredible Story of Overcoming Obstacles

The story of Robert “Rocky” Bleier is arguably the most incredible tale of bravery and passion that the world of sports has ever witnessed. Shortly after being born in 1946, Bleier quickly fell in love with the game of football. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame on a scholarship for football where he would later help lead his team to a national championship in 1966. A couple of years later, Bleier went on to fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968.

Immediately after the ending of his rookie season with the team, Bleier was drafted again; this time, by the United States Army.

Not even a year later, he and the rest of his infantry were on a routine patrol in Vietnam when suddenly they were ambushed. The attack from the North Vietnamese Army resulted in Bleier sustaining fatal injuries to both legs and feet. After being transported to a hospital in Tokyo, doctors removed hundreds of pieces of bomb fragments from the legs and feet of Bleier.

The doctors told him that he was very lucky to be alive and that he would be fortunate enough to walk again, let alone play football. Bleier was devastated by the news and refused to accept it.

However, something Bleier did accept was a letter that was sent from the Steelers owner claiming that the team wanted and needed him back. Barely a year after being wounded, Bleier returned to the NFL but was cut from the team two seasons in a row.

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He continued facing obstacles such as having to wear two different sized cleats due to the deformity of his feet post surgery, as well as extra protective equipment to reduce the risk of reinjuring his lower body. Rather than giving up, he continued to train 5-6 hours every day in order to get back into premier physical shape.

After finally making the Steelers roster in 1971, Bleier and the team went on to become Super Bowl Champions four times within the same decade. Upon Bleier’s retirement after the 1980 season, he was recognized as one of the greatest Steelers players of all time. As of today, Bleier spends most of his free time traveling across the nation to perform motivational speeches for high schools all over the United States. In my opinion, Bleier is the epitome of an individual who possesses the heart of a winner. I’ve learned through him that no matter the type of obstacles that life brings, I am capable of overcoming them all through determination.

Reference

1. University of Notre Dame, K. T. (2012). Rocky Bleier // Strong of Heart // University of Notre Dame.
   Retrieved from https://strongofheart.nd.edu/profiles/rocky-bleier-2012/