Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story

Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story
Genre	Biography Drama Sport
Written by	Jerry McNeely
Directed by	Robert Lieberman
Starring	Robert Urich Bonnie Bedelia
Composer	Fred Karlin
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Jerry McNeely
Producer	Donald A. Baer
Production location	Pittsburgh
Cinematography	Stevan Larner
Editor	A. David Marshall
Running time	95 minutes
Production companies	MTM Enterprises Company Four
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	December 7, 1980 (1980-12-07)

Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story is a 1980 made-for-television movie about the life of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier, portrayed by Robert Urich.

Based on Bleier's 1975 autobiography of the same name, it tells the story of how, after becoming a running back for the Steelers in 1968, he 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 his wife Aleta (Bonnie Bedelia), Steelers owner Art Rooney (Art Carney), and coach Chuck Noll (Richard Herd), Rocky makes the team again, and helps them become Super Bowl champions.

See also

• List of American football films