Rocky Bleier’s story – a gripping tale of courage on both the football fields of America and the battle fields of Vietnam – has held audiences in rapt attention for years. Not falling within the ideal of what a running back should look like, Bleier had to run harder and play smarter to be able to stand out. He not only made the Pittsburgh Steelers team, but also eventually became a starting running back on a team that won four Super Bowls and became the greatest football team of the 20th century.
Hall of Famer Mel Blount is considered one of the best cornerbacks to have ever played in the NFL and a significant reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers were the dominant football team of the 1970s. A third-round draft choice in 1970, he had the size, speed, and quickness for the position. Blount was named the NFL’s most valuable defensive player in 1975 by the Associated Press, earned All-Pro acclaim in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1981. He also was a four-time All-AFC selection and played in five Pro Bowls.
Hall of Famer Larry Csonka was the number 1 pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 1968 Draft. By the 1970s he was one of the most feared runners in professional football. The Dolphins led the NFL in rushing in 1971 and 1972, with Csonka rushing for a career best 1,117 yards in 1972. That rushing attack led the Dolphins to Super Bowls VI, VII, and VIII, with victories in the last two. He was voted the Super Bowl VIII MVP. He earned All-AFC honors four times and was named All-Pro in 1971, 1972, and 1973. He was also selected to play in five Pro Bowls.
Hall of Famer Dermontti Dawson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. In his rookie season he played guard alongside Hall of Fame center Mike Webster. When Webster left the team following that season, Dawson succeeded him as the starting center. He soon became one of the best players in the league at his position. He was named to seven straight Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1998 and was a six-time AP First Team All-Pro.
Hall of Famer Jack Ham was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second-round (34th overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft. He won the starting left linebacker job as a rookie. He was first-team All-Pro six years and was named to eight straight Pro Bowls. Ham was blessed with tremendous quickness. He was one of the few outside linebackers who could play pass defense as well as the NFL’s top safeties. Ham was a member of the four Super Bowl winning teams during his twelve-year career.
Growing up in Idaho, Merril’s goal of becoming a professional football player seemed unrealistic. But from that young age, he used the words “Find A Way” to take action to overcome any obstacle. As a graduate of Idaho State University with a degree in education, Merril was a four-year football starter who set two NCAA football records. In 1987, Merril was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played until 1993 and led the team in rushing and receiving in four of his first five years.