38. Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient Rocky Bleier

In 1968 Rocky Bleier was drafted in the 16th round of the NFL, the 417th player selected. In 1969 Rocky Bleier was drafted again. This time by the Army. Instead of training camp for the Steelers he was in basic training for the United States. A few months later he found himself halfway across the world, with a grenade launcher in his hand when he heard gunfire. He took cover but it was too late... a bullet had struck him in the leg. Despite being wounded, he located where the North Vietnamese soldier was firing from and sent a grenade in his direction. Unfortunately, a grenade was also heading towards him, hitting a soldier square in the back before falling to the ground right at Rocky's legs. An instant later it blew up, badly injuring Bleier. His time in Vietnam was over and many thought his time in the NFL was over as well. But not Bleier. Despite his doctor's telling him he'd live a "normal life" that didn't include football, Rocky had other plans. And a note from Steelers owner Art Rooney provided all the motivation he would need to get back on the field. It said simply, "Rock – the team’s not doing well. We need you.“ In 1970, Rocky was one of the final cuts for the Steelers but once again the Steelers loyalty to Bleier provided him the strength and will to continue on. Dan Rooney, the Steelers GM decided the team wasn't cutting Bleier but instead was putting him on injured reserve. After another year of training and rehad, Bleier tried out for the Steelers again in 1971.... and made the team. And he made that same Pittsburgh team for 9 more seasons, winning four Super Bowl along the way before retiring after the 1980 season. It's a story of perseverance and dedication, of duty and honor, of loyalty and resilience. It's the story of Rocky Bleier... and he tells it in great detail this week on the Past Our Prime podcast. Listen and review the show on all formats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices