@STRAZ CENTER
SEP 21-22
FERGUSON HALL
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
presents
Rocky Bleier in The Play
In 1975, Rocky Bleier penned his autobiographical book, Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier
Story. Although not yet 30 years old, Bleier shared many of his dramatic and inspiring
experiences. In 1980, the book was turned into a television movie of the same name, starring
Robert Urich as Bleier. Now Rocky tells his own story, live on stage, in this one-man show.
The Play was written by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports journalist Gene Collier who said,
“My contribution was mostly to re-acquaint Rocky with just how compelling his story
remains despite the passage of four decades. It’s a great American tale, and the goal was to
have Rocky present it again through the prism of history – the social, cultural, military and
personal history that’s gone down since the Steelers of the 70’s left the eld.”
ABOUT ROCKY BLEIER: Robert Patrick Bleier was born in 1946 in Appleton,
Wisconsin, where his family lived above his dad’s tavern. He was such a muscular baby
that he became known as “Rock,” a nickname that stuck. In high school, he was a football
star and went on to play for the University of Notre Dame, where he was team captain
in his senior year. Rocky’s dream to continue his football career came true when he was
selected in the 16th round of the 1968 draft to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After his rookie season with the Steelers, he received a different sort of draft notice – a call to
serve from the United States Army. Rocky’s new team was the 196th Light Infantry Brigade,
which was deployed to Vietnam. It was the height of the war, and 350 Americans were
dying in combat each week. On August 20, 1969, his platoon was ambushed by the North
Vietnamese Army. A bullet tore through Rocky’s thigh and a grenade riddled his foot with
shrapnel. Flown to a Tokyo hospital for treatment, the doctors told him that walking should
be his goal and he could forget about ever playing football again.
While there, Rocky received a simple postcard that was more effective than medicine.
“Rock, the team’s not doing well,” it said. “We need you.” Signed: Art Rooney. That’s when
Rocky began ghting his way back to Pittsburgh and the Steelers. When he reported to
training camp in 1970, he couldn’t walk without a limp, but after a few years of personal
determination, of encouragement from other players and Mr. Rooney, of taxi squads and
special teams, he was back in the game. The reward for this hard work was four Super Bowl
victories with the Pittsburgh Steelers: 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1980.
Exclusive Management
OPUS 3 ARTISTS
470 Park Ave. South - 9th Floor North • New York, NY 10016 • opus3artists.com
The taking of photographs and/or use of other recording equipment is strictly prohibited.
Program information provided by the cast and/or production company.
TICKETS: 813.229.STAR (7827) • STRAZCENTER.ORG 25
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