Category: Steelers

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since the NFL and how you got started in your post-NFL career?

I’m the regional director for Visalus. I’ve been doing that since I’ve been out of the NFL. Before that I was on tv – the New Network’s Average Joe and the Wall to Wall Sports Show, a local show in Columbus, Ohio.

Can you let readers know more about Visalus?

The VISALUS 90 DAY CHALLENGE is the number one weight-loss and fitness platform in North America. This program is endorsed by celebrities from all walks of life, including, Jessica Biel (actress) Ray Lewis (athlete), Khris Humphries (athlete), Hulk Hogan (athlete/actor), LisaRaye McCord (actress), Master P (rapper), Alfonso Ribiero (actor), Taylor Armstrong (reality show, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills).

Continue reading “Rodney Bailey, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 2001-2003, 2006”

Rocky Bleier remains a great comeback story

By Jim O’Brien From Pittsburgh Business Times

When Rocky Bleier was a standout running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they won four Super Bowls in six seasons in the ‘70s, he recalls Coach Chuck Noll advising the players to prepare themselves for their post-football careers or, as Noll called it, “their life’s work.”

Bleier didn’t realize it at the time but his life, or at least his life story, would become his “life’s work.”

He played 12 seasons with the Steelers and got into the investment business with teammate Andy Russell while still employed by the Steelers.  He retired after the 1980 season, and became a sports broadcaster with WPXI-TV, but he wasn’t very good at it.

So he started spending more time telling his comeback story from being wounded by bullets and shrapnel from an exploding grenade in a rice paddy in Vietnam, and being told he might not walk again, to becoming a star running back with Franco Harris for one of the greatest football teams in National Football League history.

Bleier’s comeback story is one of the best in sports annals and remains a compelling story of how determination and persistence can win out in the end over overwhelming odds.  Bleier wasn’t big or fast, at 5-10, 210 pounds, but he found a way to be part of a winning team.  “They don’t measure the size of the heart at these player evaluation camps,” Coach Noll liked to say.

It surprises even Bleier that he is still as successful as a motivational speaker, making about 60 to 70 appearances around the country annually.  Gloria Ashcraft is his assistant and runs Rocky Bleier, Inc., and sets his speaking schedule and travel arrangements.  “She has been with me for 26 years,” says Bleier, “and she’s the best in the business.”

The challenge of being on the road so much has gotten greater as he approaches his 67^th birthday on March 5.  “You can’t get a direct flight to most cities out of Pittsburgh these days,” he says.

His theme is “Be the Best You Can Be,” and it’s a 70-minute program aimed at inspiring his audience to realize their potential.  He’s good at it, and he’s even better before and after the way he works the room.

“It’s what you do before and after that really makes the difference,” says Bleier.  He confesses that he has always wanted everyone to like him, and he has always worked hard at realizing that goal.  “My parents ran a restaurant and bar back home in Appleton, Wisconsin,” he says, “and I learned early how to take care of the customers and keep them happy and coming back for more.”

He has expanded his business activities in recent years.  He is a managing member of RBVetCo LLC; a service disabled veteran- owned small business, a general contractor that bids work in both the private sector as well as federal government.  Rocky is responsible for overall direction and business development.

His brothers-in-law, Jim and John Gyurina, sit on the board of directors.  They are also involved with a sister company, Natural Office Solutions LLC, a company that sells commercial office furniture.  There’s also Bleier/Zagula Financial, so Bleier is as busy as he wants to be.

He says that Chuck Noll remains in his mind and is still with him.  “I find myself quoting Chuck and his philosophies,” says Bleier, while looking after his two teenage daughters at their home in Mt.Lebanon when his wife, Jan, was away in London with a niece who was doing college study abroad.

“Things Chuck always said come back to you; they help you in other tasks besides football.  It’s amazing the impact your coaches and teachers have on you throughout your life.  I was fortunate that I had important people in my life who made a difference.”

Bleier offers these suggestions for success:

Set goals and form a game plan that will help accomplish them.  Do things with great passion.  Overcome adversity.  Maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses.  Work as a team.  Learn from winners and mentors.  Do community work; it will not only make you feel good, it will show you to be a person worth hiring.  Prepare early for your life’s work.”

And, of course, be the best you can be.

 

Jim O’Brien’s book “Immaculate Reflections” is available at all area book stores, and on his website www.jimobriensportsauthor.com

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

After getting injured in Canada in 1971, I came back to Colorado and worked with my fathers construction company for about three years, but my love for golf lured me into the PGA apprentice program in 1974 and I spent about 25 years as a club golf professional.  I got out of the business in 2001 and have been kind of semi-retired since.

You started in the NFL in 1967 with the Baltimore Colts. As a 16th round pick from a small school (Adams State) how did you prove yourself to the coaches to make the team?

I was a very similar receiver to Raymond Berry who was somewhat successful for a few years, and I think that because of his success, I might have got a little longer look than I would have otherwise.  I did have a good work ethic, and wasn’t afraid to spend my time on the “special teams”

Continue reading “Don Alley, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1969”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL and how you got started in your post-NFL career?

Now, I’m unable to do much of anything. I’m a good bit disabled. My back is not in good shape. My knee was replaced. I had a disk taken out…screws in my back. I take it day-to-day…that’s how I feel.

Are these all football related injuries?

They are all football related, yes. A lot of them have to do with the field in Pittsburgh then. It was the worst field in the game, and then I went to the second worst stadium in the NFL after Pittsburgh in Houston. I played in the two worst fields in my two and a half years. I guess it wore me out….

Continue reading “Dennis Hughes, Steelers Tight End, 1970-1971”

First, can you let readers know what you have been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

I wake up at 4:15 every morning to work out!

I’m the project manager for the Tampa Bay Housing Authority. There are three of us on staff so I’m always very busy. I’ve been there the past three years. This is my second stint – I was there before as the Assistant Director of Operations. When the state of  Florida reduced the staff my job ended, but I came back with Tampa Housing authority as a project manager.

My father owned a construction company growing up – so that was always a part of my life as a youngster and that helped get me interested in being prepared for the role as well.

Continue reading “Ray Snell, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1984-1985”

First, can you let readers know about how you got started in coaching?

I started off in high school coaching when a  friend of mine and me started talking at a parent-teacher conference. He was also the teacher of my son who was in fourth grade. He was looking at a coaching job and told me the high school also had another open spot and that he mentioned I may be interested. That was at Peters Township.

Who and what helped influence your coaching style?

I think a big part of the coach I wanted to be was influenced by having good coaches growing up. I remember all of my coaches – from high school to my position coaches in college and at the professional level. As a young kid, having men like that as positive influences is a great help.

Continue reading “Jason Gildon, Steelers Linebacker, 1994-2003”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since your time in the NFL including Platinum Properties HAWAII and how you got started in this post-NFL direction?

I went to my first pro bowl after the 1986 season and feel in love with Hawaii, specifically Maui. I played my 16 year career dreaming of retiring here. Upon retiring from the NFL in 1998 my wife Ann and I moved our family to Maui. I quickly began buying property as investments and found I had a knack for the real estate business.

You were Baltimore’s second round draft pick in ’82 as a punter. That’s a very high pick for a punter – why do you think Baltimore selected you so high in the draft and were you surprised?

Not really. I was projected to go very early. Dallas called me prior to draft and said they would use their second round pick on me if I was committed to playing football. I was world-ranked in the decathlon at the time so there was a question if I would continue training for the ’84 Olympics instead of playing in the NFL.

Continue reading “Rohn Stark, Steelers Punter, 1995”

First, you’ve been a busy man since your NFL playing days. Can you let readers know what you’ve been up to?

First, I’m the sideline voice for the Chiefs radio network. I started in 2001 on my off days as an intern on a local sports talk radio show, learning the ropes. The next season they gave me my own who, and that’s how I got started with that.

When I retired I took a year off to decompress after a fifteen-year career. Then I was contacted by the Chiefs radio network again to work with them.

Continue reading “Kendall Gammon, Steelers Long Snapper, 1992-1995”

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL coaching career and how you got started?

After I retired in 2005, I went home to Orlando Florida. I coached my son’s flag football team – my neighbor was former Bronco John Mobley – his son Tyson was on that team, as was Thurman Thomas’s. It was a YMCA team….

One of the parents said that a coach asked about me – he was the coach at Lake Mary High School. I ended up coaching there for a year then ended up at my alma mater – Florida A&M – as their linebacker coach, then as their defensive coordinator.

Continue reading “Earl Holmes, Steelers Linebacker, 1996-2001”

First, can you let readers know what you have been doing with yourself since your NFL days – and how you got involved in your later non-football work?

I worked for the Butcher Singer brokerage firm in Pittsburgh after being released /cut. It was a great firm with many talented brokers. I learned a lot.

The stock market dropped more than during the Depression. I took a position with Procter and Gamble’s commercial division. We sold quality commercial products to major cleaning and laundry Companies in PA and Nationally. I was successful selling major products in large quantities for many of the best institutional and commercial cleaning contractors in Pa , Ohio and WVA. It was a great Company and great consumers.

Continue reading “Dick Capp, Steelers Linebacker, 1968”