Paul Harvey - Rocky Bleier

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Paul Harvey - Rocky Bleier"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Paul Harvey - Rocky Bleier
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Release Date: January 9, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to the thrilling moments of Super Bowl XIII, highlighting the remarkable story of Rocky Bleier. The episode delves deep into a pivotal play that not only defined the game but also underscored Bleier's extraordinary resilience and determination.

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The Pivotal Super Bowl XIII Play

(00:32 - 02:04)

The episode begins with a dramatic replay of Super Bowl XIII in Miami, featuring the intense matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys. Narrator 2 sets the scene:

"Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys in that most thrilling of all super bowl games, one play deserves to be replayed one more time." (00:43)

As the first half progresses, the score is tightly contested at 14-14 with time winding down. The pressure mounts as the Steelers' quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, battles an injured shoulder against the formidable Cowboys defense.

"Gallant Steeler quarterback Terry Bradshaw, with an injured shoulder and despite a devastating pass rush for the Dallas Cowboys, connected with two passes to Swan, had thus driven to within seven yards of the Dallas goal line." (01:06)

Despite the intense defense, Bradshaw orchestrates a crucial drive, bringing the Steelers perilously close to the end zone. On third down, facing a seemingly insurmountable defensive wall, Bradshaw calls a daring pass-run option play.

"Bradshaw called a pass run option play, sprinted to his right. He'd carry the ball in himself if he had to." (01:32)

In a moment of split-second decision-making, Bradshaw spots a teammate in the end zone and launches the ball with remarkable force:

"But through that massive Cowboy muscle, Bradshaw saw a Steeler uniform emerge as though from nowhere in the end zone. And when he threw the ball, he didn’t know at whom he was throwing it. It looked like Rocky Bleier, but there was no way that Blair could have moved that far, that deep, that fast." (01:42 - 01:50)

Rocky Bleier, despite being nearsighted and not known for his speed or leaping ability, makes an astonishing catch that secures a halftime lead for the Steelers.

"Rocky Bleier can't run as fast as he did. But he did. But he did. And this is the same Rocky Blair who, when he came home from Vietnam on shrapnel shattered legs, was told that he would never walk again. But he did." (03:58 - 04:08)

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Analyzing the Extraordinary Catch

(02:04 - 03:58)

The narrative takes an analytical turn as Lynn Swan, a teammate of Bleier, reviews the play from various camera angles. Swan meticulously measures Bleier's leap, comparing it to his known athletic capabilities.

"Lynn Swan clocked the replay. And from different camera angles, he noted. And there is absolutely no doubt about what I am about to say. You understand that you can do from different camera angles is to measure the Bleier leap precisely." (03:07 - 03:22)

Through this analysis, Swan concludes that Bleier's leap was beyond his physical capabilities, raising questions about whether the play was a result of pure athleticism or something more extraordinary.

"Rocky Bleier never could jump that high. But that day he did." (03:55 - 03:58)

This section underscores the miraculous nature of Bleier's catch, framing it as not just a game-winning play but a testament to his indomitable spirit.

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Rocky Bleier: A Story of Resilience

(03:58 - 04:08)

The episode shifts focus to Rocky Bleier's personal journey. Bleier, a Vietnam War veteran, returned home with shrapnel-shattered legs and was told he would never walk again. Defying all odds, he not only walked but also rose to become a key player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"He came home from Vietnam on shrapnel shattered legs, was told that he would never walk again. But he did. And now you know the rest of the story." (03:58 - 04:08)

Bleier's story serves as an inspiring narrative of overcoming adversity, highlighting his remarkable comeback and contribution to his team's success.

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Conclusion

In this episode, Harold's Old Time Radio masterfully intertwines the excitement of Super Bowl XIII with the inspiring story of Rocky Bleier. Through detailed narration and insightful analysis, listeners gain a deep appreciation for a moment that is both sportingly significant and personally monumental for Bleier. This episode not only revisits a historic play but also celebrates the human spirit's capacity to triumph over seemingly insurmountable challenges.

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Notable Quotes:

• "How to have fun anytime, anywhere. Step 1 Go to chumbacasino.com." (00:00) — [Advertisement, Skipped]
• "Rocky Bleier can't run as fast as he did. But he did." (03:10) — Narrator 2
• "He was told that he would never walk again. But he did." (03:58) — Narrator 1

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the episode's primary narrative.

Transcript

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[Narrator 1]

Rest of the story One more Super bowl replay Super Bowl 13 in Miami.

[Narrator 2]

Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys in that most thrilling of all super bowl games, one play deserves to be replayed one more time. During the seesaw first half, time was running out, the score was tied. To go into the locker room with any kind of a halftime lead would provide an immense psychological lift for the team then ahead. But as I say, the score will.

[Narrator 1]

Was tied 14:14 and time was running out.

[Narrator 2]

Gallant Steeler quarterback Terry Bradshaw, with an injured shoulder and despite a devastating pass rush for the Dallas Cowboys, connected with two passes to Swan, had thus driven to within seven yards of the Dallas goal line. But here the formidable Dallas defense stiffened. They put multiple coverage on Lynn Swan. First down went nowhere. Second down went nowhere. Third down, Bradshaw called a pass run option play, sprinted to his right. He'd carry the ball in himself if he had to.

[Narrator 1]

No way.

[Narrator 2]

Cowboys are converging everywhere. But through that massive Cowboy muscle, Bradshaw saw a Steeler uniform emerge as though from nowhere in the end zone.

[Narrator 1]

And when he threw the ball, he.

[Narrator 2]

Didn'T know at whom he was throwing it. It looked like Rocky Blier, but there was no way that Blair could have moved that far, that deep, that fast.

[Narrator 1]

Let me interrupt myself for two things.

[Narrator 2]

Rocky Blyers, nearsighted, has trouble focusing his.

[Narrator 1]

Eyes on a fast pass.

[Narrator 2]

And Terry Bradshaw those days would throw a flat pass with such force that it could separate the fingers of a receiver.

[Narrator 1]

I mean, actually split the finger apart down the hand.

[Narrator 2]

Anyway, for Bradshaw, it's a long shot gamble or a long loss.

[Narrator 1]

And he gambled.

[Narrator 2]

He rifled the ball over the Cowboy wall and toward that Steeler uniform in the end zone. It was Rocky Blair. Blair did leap for it did bring down the ball, and the Steelers went into the locker room leading 21 to 14Americans. During all of the post game replays of Super Bowl 13, the first person to notice something significant about that Bradshaw.

[Narrator 1]

To Blyer pass at the end of the first half was teammate Lynn Swan. Isolated cameras showed distinctly what I'm about to relate.

[Narrator 2]

Blyer crossing the end zone, laterally out distancing two men assigned to cover him. There were pictures on magazine covers showing.

[Narrator 1]

Blair, who was only 5ft 9, leaping into the stratosphere for that pass. But it was Lynn Swan who, having.

[Narrator 2]

Seen the play, then having watched the.

[Narrator 1]

Replays, sensed something most extraordinary.

[Narrator 2]

And when all of the other celebration, contemplation and conjecture Concerning Super Bowl 13 was behind, Lynn Swan clocked the replay.

[Narrator 1]

Movies with a stopwatch.

[Narrator 2]

And from different camera angles, he noted.

[Narrator 1]

Rocky Blier's spectacular leap to snag that important pass.

[Narrator 2]

And there is absolutely no doubt about.

[Narrator 1]

What I am about to say. You understand that you.

[Narrator 2]

What you can do from different camera.

[Narrator 1]

Angles is to measure the Blyr leap precisely. You measure it in relation to fixed items in the background of the picture. It is easy to see from team statistics how fast wire can sprint 40 yards in 4, 6, how high legs extended he can jump. There's no doubt about that. So what I'm saying is that Rocky Blier can't run as fast as he did. But he did.

[Narrator 2]

Rocky Blyer never could jump that high.

[Narrator 1]

But that day he did. And this is the same Rocky Blair who, when he came home from Vietnam on shrapnel shattered legs, was told that he would never walk again. But he did. And now you know the rest of the story.

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