Biography

Drafted in the 16th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1968 NFL draft. He had played 10 games when he was drafted by the Army. Bleier served with the 4th/31st of the 196th LIB of the Americal Division. In August 1969, he was seriously wounded when his platoon in Heip Duc ran into an ambush, receiving wounds from rifle fire and grenade fragments in his legs. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He returned to the Steelers in 1971. Bleier was the only active NFL player who saw action in Vietnam.

Played halfback at Notre Dame from 1965 to 1967. Was a starter on the 1966 national championship squad. Team captain in 1967. Graduated in 1968.

Attended St. Francis Xavier High School in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Bleier was on stage at the Charlotte Convention Center when three of his four Super Bowl rings were taken out of a bag in a room backstage. Bleier previously had said he sold his rings for $40,000 to an attorney on 10 December 1996, two days before filing for bankruptcy help pay back federal taxes. Bleier, however, exercised an option to buy back the rings and an agreement that he could hold onto them in the interim. He is offering a $2,500 reward for their return. (June 2004)

Ranks 92nd on NFL All-Time Rushing Average List (4.165).