Travels from Pennsylvania, USA
Rocky Bleier's speaking fee falls within range: $10,000 to $15,000
The extraordinary life story of Rocky Bleier is an inspirational one of a man who overcame terrible adversity to achieve his dreams. From the football fields of the NFL to the battlefields of Vietnam, he has shown incredible resilience, both as a man and an athlete.
Rocky Bleier was determined to become a pro footballer, even though he didn’t fit into the classical image of what a running back should be. He compensated for this by running harder and playing smarter than anyone else, and managed to make it onto the Pittsburgh Steelers roster as a late round draft pick. Before he had even completed his rookie season, he was drafted to serve in Vietnam, where he received wounds in his legs from rifle fire and grenade fragments in an ambush that left him hardly able to walk.
In a position where many might have given up, Rocky Bleier drove himself onwards and within two years had made it back onto the Pittsburgh Steelers team; a team which eventually won four Super Bowls with Rocky Bleier as their starting running back.
Rocky Bleier’s inspiring achievements have been the subject of an ABC-TV movie of the week, the title of which was taken from his well-received autobiography, Fighting Back.
Rocky Bleier′s life story – a gripping tale of courage on both the football fields of America and the battle fields of Vietnam – has held audiences in rapt attention for years. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in the new American century.
With the same optimism, sense of humor and steadfast determination that were his trademarks as a Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Rocky Bleier takes audiences from his early years through his professional career and talks about the lessons he learned along the way….lessons that we all can benefit from.
Not falling within the ideal of what a running back should look like, Bleier had to run harder and play smarter to be able to stand out. Despite his drive and ability to make the big play, the Pittsburgh Steelers only considered him a late round pick. But before the season ended that first year, he was drafted again…this time by the United States Army. At the height of the Vietnam War, Bleier was thrust into combat early and was seriously wounded when his platoon ran into an ambush. Receiving wounds from both rifle fire and grenade fragments in his legs, he was barely able to walk and his professional football career seemed to have ended before it began.
For more than two years, he drove himself. Little by little he overcame obstacles and fought his back. He not only made the Pittsburgh Steelers, but also eventually became a starting running back on a team that won four Super Bowls and became the greatest football team of the 20th century.
The hard lessons Rocky Bleier learned early in his life that helped him overcome adversity and reach his goals, have paid off after football. Some of those lessons are seen between the lines in the popular book on his life, Fighting Back, and an ABC-TV movie of the week by the same name.
But what makes Bleier so popular as a speaker is his ability to translate core values in his speech, “Be the Best You Can Be.” With real-world practicality, he points out ways to reach new levels of inner-confidence.
Rocky Bleier Looks back over his extraordinary life and shares his insights on memory with his audience. Musing on the ways in which the body and mind are regenerated, he says, “I may not be the same person that I was 43 years ago when I was walking the rice paddies of Vietnam, or 32 years ago, when I last wore a uniform in the National Football League. But the highlights of those times are etched in my memory." Explaining further, he says, “What I've found is that it's usually my audience who forget who I am, and how I single-handedly won those four Super Bowls for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But if you look at that period of time in our lives since the get go up to where we are today, a lot of opportunities have opened, because we really live in a culture of opportunity." Setting out his view of society, Rocky opines, “It's not necessarily a culture of entitlement, but is based on the simple premise that as long as we have choices within our lives, then we are basically free people, but with choice comes a responsibility, and that responsibility is what? To be informed."
Whoever your audience is – from corporate executives or sales teams to young professionals or student athletes – Rocky Bleier can motivate them with the lessons he has learned from his amazing life.
Rocky shares the secrets of his own success with a wealth of warm good-humored anecdotes that will leave your audience inspired to strive for the same heights of achievement he has reached.
THE BEST YOU CAN BE "What does it take to reach that pinnacle of success? It is the courage to take the first step, hard work, determination, singleness of purpose, passion, and sometimes just plain luck." - R.Bleier
FIGHTING BACK "I didn’t want to face the truth. As you must know by now, I have a certain self-discipline, an ability to persuade myself that reality is not what it seems. During that training camp, I convinced myself that I actually had a chance to make the ball club. I forced myself to ignore that I sill had a noticeable limp." - R.Bleier
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES "Dear Lord, get me out of here, if You can. What I will do is this: I’ll give You my life… to do with whatever You will. Here it is. I’m not going to complain if things go wrong. If things go good, I’ll share my success with everybody around me. Here it is. Whatever You want to do, wherever You want to direct. This is the best I can do." - R.Bleier
MOTIVATION "Don’t lose what makes you the person you are. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Don’t lose sight of your dreams. Too many people get tired and give up. If you give up you’ll forfeit the opportunity to realize the dreams you have for your life. Why not strive for something even greater?" - R.Bleier
PERSEVERANCE "Be clear about your dream & vision. Do not worry. Just think about all the the great possibilities and act upon them." - R.Bleier
COMMITMENT "Heros - Real Heros - have one thing in common: Character. It’s self evident. You know it when you see it. Enormous depth, right to the bone, brother." - R.Bleier
AUTHENTICITY "I know that every generation has said: “Listen to me; Learn from me”… I add my voice to theirs. As with generation upon generation, we tend, with bullheaded stubbornness, to find our own way… to learn from own own lessons… to formulate our own experiences." - R.Bleier
PATRIOTISM "More than anything else, an attitude of complete acceptance got me through Vietnam. I never questioned. I kept my emotional stability. I simply did each day’s work, never debating my part in the cosmic issues of war and peace, life and death, or politics." - R.Bleier
COURAGE "Courage is simply that moment in time in which we take what information we have and we implement it to take action, to move forward." - R.Bleier
INSPIRING LIVES "Maybe a simple story, of one man's life, from another generation, can help you see what the human spirit can overcome and accomplish. To all of you, I dedicate my life." - R.Bleier
ACHIEVEMENT "Believe in yourself and what you know you can accomplish. Don’t let doubt and uncertainty rob you of the successes you’ve had in the past and steal the great things to come. Truly believe that greatness is on the horizon and your best days are ahead of you." - R.Bleier
ENCOURAGEMENT "Act on what we want to do, regardless of any fear we may have. Disregard worry. Choose to do right, to pursue our dreams, to be successful people, to lead the way for others." - R.Bleier
Katie G
November 14, 2018
Rocky is THE best story teller around. His own story really hit home with me (female 30’s). The ups and downs of life with a solution on how to move forward is priceless knowledge.
Speaker rating 10/10
Wow, what can I say!? Rocky is such a down to earth guy! The attendees were very excited that they go to put his Super Bowl rings on. He took time with each attendee and didn’t rush at all. It was such a memorable moment for so many of the attendees. We are very happy with our selection. Woodmen of the World Life Insurance(Booking arranged by Speaking.com)
First off, thanks for the great job you did for AT&T at our Leaders Council event. Your ability to translate your personal experiences into a compelling motivational message was right on target for all of our attendees. Success in business, like football, depends largely on the commitment and preparation of the individual and their ability to perform with others in attainment of a shared goal. Your translation of that theme into a focus on work ethic and teamwork really hit home with our top sales people and their guests. It′s not something they don′t know in their hearts, but it needs nurturing and your talk was a great inspiration. AT&T
Rocky was very professional and stayed around for a couple hours signing autographs and interacting with our customers. His presentation was entertaining and enjoyable, and I heard several customers commenting on things Rocky said that resonated with them. Candice Garrison Logility, Inc. Atlanta, GA
There have been numerous comments from both our staff and clients alike who felt this was the best they had ever heard. After your moving speech, many felt a renewed vigor to “tackle” their jobs and life′s everyday hurdles and drive them to success. They felt they too could achieve the impossible. You are truly an inspiration to everyone who feels like they are faced with an insurmountable task. Tim McLeod Applied Computer Technologies
Your presentation captivated the undivided attention of our entire sales force and marketing team. You touched and motivated all by your professionalism, courage and sincere message. Thank you again. Karen Grinnon Ademco
In reflecting on these occassions, I wanted to let you know that you are by far one of the very best! The time you spent with each of our people truly made them feel special and more importantly your honesty and genuinenes was overwhelming. Gary E. Kirkner Colonical Life and Accident Insurance Co
Rocky was the most enjoyable guest I have ever had the pleasure to visit and work with at an event. Jim Stalls Better Business Bureau of South Central LA, Inc Baton Rouge, LA
I was extremely impressed with how generous Mr. Bleier was with his time. Although it was not a requirement, Mr. Bleier attended our pre-event cocktail party. It was a real treat to be able to speak with him on a personal basis. This time also allowed our participants to get to know him ahead of time, which allowed them to better relate to his message. Bill Quigg Cookie & Snack Bakers Association Richmond, IN
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Fighting Back
The story of Rocky Bleier, the Pittsburgh Steeler running back who, though seriously wounded in Vietnam, was able to train hard and work his way back to playing condition, eventually helping the Steelers to win a world championship.
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