Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier

TV Movie
1980
Not Rated
1h 35m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier (1980)

Football jock Rocky Bleier makes it all the way to the pros with the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to be drafted in the Vietnam War. Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, Bleier returns to the U.S... Read allFootball jock Rocky Bleier makes it all the way to the pros with the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to be drafted in the Vietnam War. Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, Bleier returns to the U.S., and told he will never walk again. However, after a lengthy, grueling rehabilitation, B... Read allFootball jock Rocky Bleier makes it all the way to the pros with the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to be drafted in the Vietnam War. Wounded by a hand grenade overseas, Bleier returns to the U.S., and told he will never walk again. However, after a lengthy, grueling rehabilitation, Bleier ultimately walks again. Soon, he trains with his old team for inspiration. Boss Art ... Read all

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IMDb RATING

6.9/10

185

YOUR RATING

2User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

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Goofs
After the Steelers win their first playoff game in December 1972 with the famous "Immaculate Reception", Rocky as narrator says, "We figured it was our year for the Super Bowl, so we went tearing into Miami for the League Championship Game." In 1972, the NFL awarded home field for the playoffs on a rotating basis, so despite Miami having the better regular-season record, the AFC Championship Game that year was hosted by Pittsburgh.

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Review

Featured review

9/10

Good Made For TV Fare

One of the better in a series of ABC sports movies put together in the late 70s / early 80s. The fairly routine comeback story is enlivened by the now-deceased but highly likable Urich, who is especially poignant given his own personal tragedy, which mirrors Bleier's unexpected health setbacks. The training sequences are particularly effective and memorable; Urich was well cast and up to the demanding athletic requirements. A little less tearjerking than Something For Joey, a little less relevant and socially conscious than Brian's Song, Fighting Back still belongs in the same mold. Not very groundbreaking but ultimately entertaining and better than most TV-movies thanks to Urich, who is very sympathetic.