Rocky Bleier Biography

Robert Patrick Rocky Bleier was born on March 5, 1946, and served as a United States Army veteran after his football career. Bleier played as a running back in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1970 to 1980. He earned all-conference honors at linebacker and defensive back during his college football career. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1968 with a degree in business management. During his junior year in 1966, he helped the Fighting Irish win the national championship, and he served as team captain in 1967. After his rookie season with the Steelers, he was drafted into the U.S. Army on December 4, 1968, during the Vietnam War. An offseason training program in 1974 returned him to 212 pounds and 96 kilograms, securing his place in the Steelers' starting lineup.