This inspirational 1980 film stars Robert Urich as standout Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier and Art Carney as Steelers owner Art Rooney. Considered too small and slow to play in the NFL, Bleier proved the critics wrong by making the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. While in his rookie season, he was drafted into the Army, served a tour of duty in Vietnam and left the military with a leg so badly damaged in combat that doctors told him he would be lucky to walk again let alone play football at the professional level.
Through sheer force of will, Bleier again proved the critics wrong, battling his way back onto the Steelers roster and helping them win four Super Bowls. Retiring in 1980 after 11 years in the sport, he was the fourth leading rusher in Steelers’ history at the time of his retirement. The quality of the video is poor, and you may have to hunt around for the beginning of the film once you click on the link, but your patience will be rewarded with an uplifting tale along with some nice historical footage before and after as icing on the cake. This movie isn’t about football and it isn’t about the Vietnam War. It is about the indomitable spirit of a true hero!
To view the trailer, click here.
To view the movie free of charge, click here.
To buy the book upon which the movie is based, click here.
To view a video of Bleier talking about the book, click here.
To view a video of Bleier returning to Vietnam 40 years later, click here.
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