Rocky Bleier an interview with an inspiring speakers

An interview with Rocky Bleier
I recently had the honor of interviewing Rocky Bleier, the (four-time Superbowl) Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back. He’s also one of our favorite speakers here at Eagles Talent Connection. One thing you instantly get from Rocky is that this guy is straightforward and genuine—in other words he’s real—and that’s a huge reason why audiences love him. Because of this down-to-earth connection with his audience, he is hired over and over (and over) again to speak at corporate events.

Sheldon Senek: Hey Rocky, let me get something out of the way…I’m a Cleveland fan (for you non-football fans, Cleveland and the team Rocky played for, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are—well, were rivals). Unfortunately, it’s hard to say “rival” since Cleveland hasn’t beaten Pittsburgh in many, many years. Once again, Cleveland has just hired a new coach (Eric Mangini) and GM while the Steelers are going to the Superbowl. Do you still follow the Steelers?

Rocky Bleier: Because of the proximity of the two teams, being in the same division, inter-fan marriages and etc. Cleveland has always been a great rivalry despite the records [...] yes, I still follow the Steelers.

SS: I grew up in Ohio watching football in the ’70s and ’80s…those were great years to watch the Browns-Steelers games. As a fan, football is a lot different today. For instance, players move to different teams more frequently. As a former player, how do you think the game has changed?

RB: Players are bigger and faster and because of that strategies have changed both offensively and defensively. You can do more with the players today. Free agency has made a difference to help fill holes when needed.

SS: I specifically remember how hard it was for the Browns to overcome the [former] Three River’s Stadium jinx. Tough place to play. What’s your most memorable time playing Cleveland (be kind, I’m fragile, lol)?

RB: I think, Sheldon, it was 16 straight years the Bownies lost at Three Rivers. Anyway my most memorable game against Cleveland was in Cleveland. October of 1979 I broke one up the middle for 70 yards and scored. This was a particularly proud moment for me because I think my previous longest run was 19 yards…I think the Brownies took pity on me since Franco [Harris] got all the limelight.

SS: I really do have much respect for the Pittsburgh organization and their dedication to be consistent. Do you keep in touch with the owner, coaches, and/or players?

RB: Having made Pittsburgh my home I still keep in touch with former players and coaches who also live here and of course the Rooney’s [the Steelers’ owner] since that ownership has not changed. You never know when you might need a Super Bowl ticket.
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Rocky Bleier an interview with an inspiring speakers

ISSUES:Happy Birthday, Pat Tillman

Editor’s note: Pat Tillman would have been 33 years old today. We at Truthdig wish to commemorate his life by republishing an article by his brother, Kevin Tillman. Tillman’s story speaks volumes not just about those we have lost, but about a history of lies, deceits and cover-ups that have helped to perpetuate war and kill thousands of U.S., coalition, Iraqi and Afghan people. As we await a decision by President Barack Obama, being pressed by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, on whether or not to send more troops to Afghanistan, we can remind ourselves of the life that Pat Tillman led and let it guide us to better understand both the conflict in Afghanistan and its consequences.

Kevin Tillman joined the Army with Pat in 2002, and they served together in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pat was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. The government deceived his family—and the nation—about the circumstances of his death for five weeks. McChrystal, who led the Joint Special Operations Command, of which Pat was a member, was central to the top-level military deceit in Tillman’s death through his fast-tracking of a fraudulent Silver Star medal recommendation and later warning in a high-priority memo of possible “public embarrassment if the circumstances of Corporal Tillman’s death become public.” Not when, but “if.”

Kevin, who was discharged in 2005, wrote a powerful, must-read document on the occasion of Pat’s birthday anniversary in 2006.



It is Pat’s birthday on November 6, and elections are the day after. It gets me thinking about a conversation I had with Pat before we joined the military. He spoke about the risks with signing the papers. How once we committed, we were at the mercy of the American leadership and the American people. How we could be thrown in a direction not of our volition. How fighting as a soldier would leave us without a voice… until we got out.
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ISSUES:Happy Birthday, Pat Tillman