Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story
Encyclopedia
Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story was a 1980 made-for-television movie about the life of Pittsburgh Steelers
running back Rocky Bleier, starring Robert Urich
. It was released on 7 December 1980.
It tells the story of Rocky Bleier, who, after becoming a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 was then drafted by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War
. Injured by a bullet to the thigh and a hand grenade
to the lower right leg, Rocky is told that he will never walk again. Not only does he walk again after a long rehabilitation
, Rocky returns to train with the Steelers. With the sympathy and support of Steelers' owner, Art Rooney
, played by Art Carney
, Rocky makes the team again, and helps the Steelers become Super Bowl
champions.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
running back Rocky Bleier, starring Robert Urich
Robert Urich
Robert Urich was an American actor. He played the starring roles in the television series Vega$ and Spenser: For Hire...
. It was released on 7 December 1980.
It tells the story of Rocky Bleier, who, after becoming a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 was then drafted by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Injured by a bullet to the thigh and a hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
to the lower right leg, Rocky is told that he will never walk again. Not only does he walk again after a long rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
, Rocky returns to train with the Steelers. With the sympathy and support of Steelers' owner, Art Rooney
Art Rooney
Arthur Joseph "Art" Rooney, Sr. , often referred to as "The Chief", was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers American football franchise in the National Football League.-Family history:...
, played by Art Carney
Art Carney
Arthur William Matthew “Art” Carney was an American actor in film, stage, television and radio. He is best known for playing Ed Norton, opposite Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden in the situation comedy The Honeymooners....
, Rocky makes the team again, and helps the Steelers become Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champions.