CHAPTER 8:

On the Saturday I met up with Cindy and Clive, part of the Steelers Mafia, whom I had met the previous summer in London’s Famous Three Kings pub (home to Steelers fans) while Clive was sorting out his US citizenship. I had invited Nick Nery to join us, but he couldn't make it, which was a shame.

They were slightly delayed in arriving, which was lucky for me as it provided the chance to look through the museum shop, where I was fortunate enough to find some presents to take home. Despite all the time I spend shopping on my trips, it’s occasionally a godsend to get a few relaxing moments to have time to browse with no pressure of time.

Cindy purchased our tickets and I thought I heard something about Dan Rooney, as they checked them. To my amazement, Dan Rooney was again up on the fifth floor talking to another audience of Steelers fans.

KDKA-TV’s Bob Pompeani was hosting a question and answer session with Mr. Rooney, who again captivated the audience with his stories from the Steelers' past.

The questions were opened to the floor, and there was a little lad who asked why Mike Tomlin had let Joey Porter go. He was gently reminded that it wasn’t coach Tomlin who committed that particular crime. It had been a financial challenge addressed before Tomlin's arrival.

The History Center was also hosting an exhibition that paid tribute, in a spectacular way, to the Steelers’ 75 years. Among the fascinating exhibits are jerseys from Hall of Famers such as Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw and Jack Ham, game-used cleats from Jack Lambert. and a helmet used by "Mean" Joe Greene.

Of all the great exhibits on show, for me, Rocky Bleier’s takes pride of place, displaying his Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Silver Helmet Rehabilitation Award he received from the AMVETS.

Robert Bleier wasn’t like Hollywood’s version of Rocky – Mr. Bleier was for real! He was the Steelers’ running back drafted into the U.S. Army in December 1968 after his rookie season.

He found himself in Vietnam in May 1969. Four months after arriving, while on patrol in Heip Duc, Bleier’s platoon was ambushed in a rice field and he was initially wounded in the left thigh. While he lay injured, an enemy grenade landed nearby, sending shrapnel into his right leg. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

On his return, Bleier couldn't walk without pain, and he weighed only 180 pounds. As revealed in Dan Rooney’s book, the Steelers sent Rocky to have the sharpnel removed and he then went through a rigorous training regime to regain his fitness and strength. He was waived twice, but always came back to regain a spot on the roster.

Bleier became a major addition to the Steelers rushing attack, led by Franco Harris, which saw them win their first Super Bowl. In 1976, both Harris and Bleier rushed for over 1,000 yards.

THE BROWNS GAME - CHAPTER 9>>>