Mr. Bleier is one of the most inspiring characters to ever come out of Notre Dame. Go Irish and God bless America!
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 05.28.07 - 3:54 pm | #

That is amazing. I'm going into the Army soon and that little story really gives me inspiration. Thanks Jay.
Veritas Aequitas | Email | Homepage | 05.28.07 - 5:48 pm | #

Saw that amazing year of '66 and how hard he worked to get into that star-studded backfield and perform at a high level. Definitely inspirational! A well-deserved award.
AquajockND67 | Email | Homepage | 05.28.07 - 6:42 pm | #

Well-deserved. One of my all-time favorites.
Buck Mulligan | Email | Homepage | 05.28.07 - 7:34 pm | #

Here's an interview with Darius Fleming.
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/ch...? event_id=15753
GB | Email | Homepage | 05.28.07 - 10:47 pm | #

I love that Notre Dame men have played such key roles on so many of the greatest NFL championship teams.
Paul Hornung was Vince Lombardi's favorite player, and on so many great Packers teams he, Hornung, was truly the straw that stirred the drink.

Joe Montana was the face of the 49'ers dynasty, and his talent and leadership is what made those teams great.

Mark Bavaro was the epitome of TOUGH on a team made up of tough bastards. He played through numerous injuries and even a half season with his jaw wired shut. Who can forget him carrying the entire San Francisco defense down the field on his back as the Giants displaced the 49'ers at the top of the NFC/NFL in '86-'87?

And then their is Rocky Bleier. Maybe the least talented football player to ever attain legend status. He was the heart and the soul of the Steelers' dynasty. Surrounded by future Hall of Fame players, Rocky is the guy that Steelers themselves drew inspiration from. He is the kind of great man that humbles other great men. From a university that produces great men (and women), Rocky Bleier will forever epitomize what Notre Dame is about. Although Rocky is still alive and well and barely in his sixties, I think that a huge bronze statue (on a campus famous for it's statues!) should be erected outside the stadium much like Michael Jordan's in Chicago. Bleier is to HONOR what Jordan was to basketball.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 10:02 am | #

Love the blog! Keep it up!
Ryan | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 12:31 pm | #

Keeping on the Memorial Day tip, who was the running back who had his ND ring taken from him during the Bataan Death March and subsequently returned by a Japanese officer who had attended USC?
Fenian Fox | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 12:54 pm | #

Rocky holds the distinction as the only player to hold a National Championship, a Super Bowl and a Purple Heart
tanner | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 12:58 pm | #

I don't know fenian, but they say the VC who threw the grenade at him went to UM.
indy | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 2:50 pm | #

That's just wrong, indy. So very wrong.
ROTFLMAO!!
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 3:20 pm | #

I think it was Motts Tonelli.
Buck Mulligan | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 3:29 pm | #

Buck Mulligan, you're right. I remember that they did a SI article on him a few years back.
Anon | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 3:38 pm | #

Fennian Fox --

I don't recall that story specifically but it appears similar to that of Jack Chevingy who, after playing for Notre Dame under Rockne, defeated Notre Dame in his first season as head coach for Texas. The UT alumnus gave him a pen inscribed "to an old Notre Damer who beat Notre Dame." Chevingy enlisted, served as an officer and died at Iwo Jima. While signing the surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri, a US officer noticed that one of the Japenese officers was signing with a gold pen having an English inscription -- Chevingy's pen which was apparently lifted after his death. Having known of Chevingy's legacy, the officer returned the pen to Chevingy's sister after changing the inscription to "to an old Notre Damer who died for his country in the spirit of Notre Dame."
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 5:55 pm | #

For more on Motts:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2...0- tonelli_x.htm
jmac | Email | Homepage | 05.29.07 - 6:11 pm | #

Buck, Don, and jmac,

Thanks for the data. For the record indy, we fought the Japanese during WWII, not the VC.
Fenian Fox | Email | Homepage | 05.30.07 - 4:03 pm | #

hooah!
Korea Blue | Email | Homepage | 06.01.07 - 12:46 pm | #

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mcdrfhl | Email | Homepage | 08.16.07 - 8:43 am | #