Pittsburgh Steelers legend Rocky Bleier is the team’s nominee for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award, the team announced Friday.
A running back on the Super Steelers’ four-time Super Bowl champions of the 1970s, Bleier’s story is familiar to Steelers fans but no less inspirational to those who tell it and hear it.
A year after Bleier was drafted by the Steelers in 1968, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Vietnam War. He would end up wounded in combat when a platoon Bleier was a part of was ambushed in a rice paddy. He was struck in the left leg with a bullet and, later during the same day, a grenade detonated on his lower right leg.
Surgery in Tokyo would remove more than 100 pieces of shrapnel from his right foot and leg, and Bleier would undergo several other procedures before being discharged from the Army in May 1970.
Bleier, who would receive the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, returned home to train with the Steelers and sat out one season before returning to part-time action in 1971.
He would ultimately appear in 148 games for the Steelers after getting wounded, including Super Bowl victories after the 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979 seasons.
Bleier made his home in the Pittsburgh area after retirement and in recent years has become a public speaker to veterans and other groups.
According to the Steelers, Bleier works to support veteran-related cause such as Operation Strong Vet, Victory Media, and Nationally Owned Veterans Business Association (NaVOBA). He has been involved with the Wounded Warriors Project, Warriors2Citizens, Veterans Job Fair, Operation Check Point, Homeless Vet Run, Vietnam Veterans of America, The Crucible, National Veterans Wheelchair Games, SW Veterans Center, and Veterans Leadership Program.
Bleier is also actively involved with St. Barnabas Health, and has worked with Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, Special Olympics and the United Way.
The NFL’s Salute to Service Award recognizes NFL players, coaches, personnel and legends who make a commitment to supporting the military community.
Throughout he month of November, fans can vote once per day at nfl.com to help determine the award’s three finalists, which will be announced in January. The winner will be announced during the NFL’s annual awards gala during the lead-up to the Super Bowl in February.