Though very different in many ways, Steeler RB’s Rocky Bleier and James Conner can teach us lessons about life
… many reasons to emulate Many contemporary young fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers do not know the story of Rocky Bleier. He is not a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, so his inspiring story is often lost four decades later. It should not be forgotten. Most do, however, understand the inspiring story of James Conner, the former running back from Erie McDowell High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Despite about a half-century difference in their ages, the two running backs have some striking similarities in their lives — and some interesting differences. First, one similarity is the fact that both are/were running backs for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Second, the most striking one is that they both understand the meaning of adversity, and they demonstrated tremendous fortitude in confronting that. In either case, their lives are worth exploring. Rocky, the Fighting Irishman from Appleton, Wisconsin Rocky Bleier grew up above his parent’s bar in Appleton, a city of about 75,000 pe...