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Rocky Bleier Profile

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.

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    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 Speaking Videos

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Rocky Bleier's Speech Descriptions

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.

Whether it is career development for corporate executives, enhancing sales and marketing skills for sales teams, offering inspiration for young professionals or practical advice to student athletes, Bleier's delivery is a winner. His message consistently brings audiences to their feet and re-energizes them for personal and work challenges ahead. His advice is not about avoiding life′s twists and turns but conditioning one′s self to lean into them and to incorporate the resulting energy in realizing goals.

Be The Best You Can Be
This speech motivates audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments. He employs a dynamic style with real-life stories and brings it together with a warm, self-reflective humor to which audiences can relate.

Run Harder & Play Smarter
On the field or off, these are lessons for success that Rocky Bleier brings to life with vivid tales from his own experiences.

What People are Saying about Seeing Rocky Speak

Rating Entries

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.

10/10

    Rocky and his message was well received by the Icynene attendees. The men, women, sports fans, non sports fans, young and old found Rocky to be engaging, insightful, and motivating. We know this because of the speaker evaluations, comments after the event, and by the spontaneous standing ovation the audience gave Rocky.
    Icynene
    (Booking arranged by Speaking.com)

    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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