Fighting back

  • Published
  • By Ch. Douglas K. Johnson
  • 452 AMW Chaplain Office
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. --  Fighting is what we do for a living. It's our mission. As members of the military, it's our sworn obligation to support and defend our Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Some of our greatest adversaries, however, may not be on the battlefield, but in our personal lives.

All he ever wanted to do was play football, but after his rookie year in 1968 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rocky Bleier was drafted into the U.S. Army. In 1969, he was sent to Vietnam to serve with the 169th Light Infantry Brigade. Crippled by enemy rifle fire and grenade wounds in both legs during an ambush by the North Vietnamese Army, Bleier faced his biggest challenge.

He could hardly walk ... running or playing football again seemed impossible.

A two-year battle ensued to overcome his injuries. Bleier's determination is hard to fathom. He underwent three surgeries. He took shock treatments. He stretched with large rubber bands. He ran before dawn, lifted weights and ran sprints every day. On weekends he ran the steps of Kansas State University stadium with 10-pound weights on his ankles. He consumed every vitamin known to man and supplements like wheat germ and calf liver.

Bleier reported to the Steelers training camp in 1970, but was placed on waivers. In 1971, he continued his rigorous training regimen, never missing a workout. He considered it a victory to simply walk around without a limp.

In 1972 and 1973, Bleier began to improve. He ran a 4.6 forty-yard dash. His new found speed encouraged the whole organization. He made the regular squad and became a special teams phenomenon. His sheer desire to help the team made the greatest impact.

In 1973, during the off season, Bleier hit the weight room three hours a day for six days a week. He was bench pressing 440 by the time the camp opened. In 1974, Bleier reached his peak. He started in the backfield alongside Franco Harris. He would later rush 1,000 yards in 1976 and finish his career with almost 4,000 rushing yards and 4 Super Bowl rings. Bleier was remembered for his uncanny ability to consistently make the big play during important games with amazing predictability.

More important than what happens to you during those painful challenges in life is what happens in you. In your darkest hours, when facing seeming insurmountable odds, it's important to remember that some things are worth fighting for.