{"product_id":"rocky-bleier-4x-sb-champs-signed-steelers-mini-helmet-bas-authenticated","title":"Rocky Bleier \"4x SB Champs\" Signed Steelers Mini Helmet BAS Authenticated","description":"\u003cp\u003eAdd the inscription of the most improbable \nfour-word credential in NFL history — \nfrom the player who had the least available reason \nto earn it — to your collection with this \n\u003cstrong\u003eRocky Bleier Autographed Pittsburgh Steelers Mini Football \nHelmet, Inscribed \"4x SB Champs\" — Beckett BAS Authenticated\u003c\/strong\u003e. \n\"4x SB Champs\" is the endpoint. \nTo understand what the inscription means \nrequires knowing the starting point: \nthe 417th overall pick in the 1968 NFL Draft \n— 16th round, one of the latest selections \nin draft history — \na running back who played sparingly as a rookie \nbefore being drafted for a second time, \nthis time into the United States Army \nduring the height of the Vietnam War. \n\u003cstrong\u003eOn August 20, 1969, \nin a rice paddy in Hiep Duc, \nRocky Bleier's platoon was ambushed. \nHe was shot in the left thigh by enemy rifle fire. \nThen a grenade detonated nearby, \nsending shrapnel through his right leg \nand removing part of his right foot. \nDoctors at a hospital in Tokyo \ntold him he should not expect \nto ever play football again.\u003c\/strong\u003e \nWhat followed — across the next eleven years — \nis what \"4x SB Champs\" documents: \nthe four Super Bowl championships won \nby the player who returned from that rice paddy \nto a team that waived him twice, \nto a starting job he earned \nat age 29 as an essential partner \nto Franco Harris in the most celebrated \noffensive backfield of the 1970s, \nto four rings with one of the most dominant \ndynasties in professional football history. \nThe mini helmet signed \"4x SB Champs\" by Bleier \nis the inscription from the man \nwho had no available reason \nto earn what it says, \ncertified authentic by Beckett Authentication Services \nwith a tamper-proof hologram \nverifiable at Beckett's official website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003ePittsburgh Steelers Mini Football Helmet\u003c\/strong\u003e \nhas been \u003cstrong\u003ehand-signed and inscribed \"4x SB Champs\" \nby Rocky Bleier\u003c\/strong\u003e. \nThe autograph and inscription have been certified authentic by \n\u003cstrong\u003eBeckett Authentication Services (BAS)\u003c\/strong\u003e \nwith a tamper-proof hologram verifiable \nat Beckett's official website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-signed and inscribed \u003cstrong\u003e\"4x SB Champs\"\u003c\/strong\u003e \nby \u003cstrong\u003eRocky Bleier\u003c\/strong\u003e — \nPittsburgh Steelers running back (1968, 1970-1980); \nBronze Star and Purple Heart recipient (Vietnam War); \nfour Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePittsburgh Steelers Mini Football Helmet\u003c\/strong\u003e — \nthe compact display-scale credential \nof the franchise's four-championship 1970s dynasty; \nBleier's inscription documents the endpoint \nof the most improbable available comeback in NFL history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBAS Authenticated\u003c\/strong\u003e — \ntamper-proof Beckett hologram \nverifiable at Beckett's official website\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\"4x SB Champs\" inscription\u003c\/strong\u003e — \nBleier's notation of the four Super Bowl championships \nwon with Pittsburgh: IX (January 1975), \nX (January 1976), XIII (January 1979), \nXIV (January 1980)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe draft and the war\u003c\/strong\u003e: \n417th overall pick (16th round) in 1968; \ndrafted into the U.S. Army later that year; \nwounded August 20, 1969, Hiep Duc, Vietnam; \nBronze Star and Purple Heart; \ndoctors said he would never play football again\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe comeback\u003c\/strong\u003e: \nreturned to Steelers at 180 pounds unable to walk without pain; \nwaived twice; spent years on special teams; \nearned starting role at age 29 in 1974; \nrushed for 1,036 yards in 1976 \nalongside Franco Harris (only second backfield duo \nto both surpass 1,000 yards in NFL history at the time)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuper Bowl XIII moment\u003c\/strong\u003e: \ncaught the touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw \nthat gave Pittsburgh a lead it never relinquished; \nrecovered Dallas's onside kick \nin the closing seconds to seal the victory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBacked by our \u003cstrong\u003eLifetime Authenticity Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\"4x SB Champs\" — What the Inscription Documents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRocky Bleier wrote four words on the mini helmet. \nThose four words represent four separate \nPittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl championships \nin a six-year span (1975-1980): \nSuper Bowl IX over the Minnesota Vikings (16-6), \nSuper Bowl X over the Dallas Cowboys (21-17), \nSuper Bowl XIII over the Dallas Cowboys (35-31), \nand Super Bowl XIV over the Los Angeles Rams (31-19). \nTogether they constitute the most dominant \nsingle-decade dynasty in NFL history — \nthe Steel Curtain defense, \nTerry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, \nLynn Swann, John Stallworth, and Bleier — \nan offensive and defensive configuration \nthat the sport has not since produced \nin the same concentrated six-year window. \n\u003cstrong\u003eBleier played in all four. \nIn Super Bowl XIII, \nhe caught the touchdown pass from Bradshaw \nthat gave Pittsburgh a lead \nagainst the Dallas Cowboys that it would never relinquish, \nthen recovered Dallas's onside kick \nin the closing seconds to seal the victory — \nthe two most important plays \nfrom one of the three games \nthe Steelers won against Dallas in that era. \nThe inscription \"4x SB Champs\" on this mini helmet \nis not a general credential. \nIt is the specific notation of four specific championships \nthat Bleier helped produce, \nfrom a player who spent August 1969 in a hospital \nbeing told he would never play again.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAugust 20, 1969 — The Rice Paddy in Hiep Duc\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRocky Bleier's platoon was on routine patrol \nin the Que San Valley near Hiep Duc \nwhen the ambush began. \nAn enemy rifle bullet entered his left thigh. \nHe pressed himself into bushes for cover \nand began firing his M79 grenade launcher \nat the positions called out by his teammates — \nuntil he ran out of ammunition \nand lay still, bleeding, for almost two hours, \nwaiting for evacuation. \n\u003cstrong\u003eBefore he was evacuated to Da Nang \nand then medevaced to Tokyo, \na grenade detonated nearby. \nThe shrapnel tore through his right leg \nand removed part of his right foot. \nAt the Tokyo hospital, \nthe doctors were specific: \nBleier should not expect to ever play football again. \nHe was given the Bronze Star for his service \nand the Purple Heart for his wounds.\u003c\/strong\u003e \nSoon after, from the hospital, \nhe received a postcard from Art Rooney — \nthe owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, \nthe team that had drafted him 417th overall, \nthe team he had played sparingly for \nin his single pre-war season. \nThe postcard read: \n\"Rock — the team's not doing well. \nWe need you. Art Rooney.\" \n\"When you have somebody take the time \nand interest to send you a postcard, \nsomething that they didn't have to do,\" \nBleier said later, \n\"you have a special place \nfor those kinds of people.\" \nHe decided to come back. \nThe mini helmet inscribed \"4x SB Champs\" \nis what came back with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Five-Year Return — Waived Twice, Four Rings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRocky Bleier reported to Steelers camp in 1970 \nweighing 180 pounds — \nthirty pounds less than his playing weight — \nunable to walk without pain, \none foot physically shorter than the other \nbecause of the shrapnel damage. \nThe Steelers placed him on injured reserve. \nHe returned in 1971 and played in six games on special teams. \nHe was waived. \nSigned back. \nHe played special teams in 1972 and 1973. \nHe was waived again. \n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter the 1973 season, \nhaving carried the ball just three times all year, \nBleier moved to Chicago and took an insurance job. \nHe believed his career was over. \nHis teammate and Steelers linebacker Andy Russell \nhad lunch with him that offseason \nand told him he couldn't quit — \nthat if he quit, he'd already made the decision \nfor the coaching staff. \nBleier came back. \nIn 1974 he earned a starting role. \nIn 1975 he made the first 11 starts of his NFL career \nat age 29. \nIn 1976 he rushed for 1,036 yards — \nalongside Franco Harris's 1,128 — \nmaking them only the second backfield duo \nin NFL history to both surpass 1,000 yards \nin the same season, \nafter the 1972 Miami Dolphins' Morris and Csonka.\u003c\/strong\u003e \nHe played 14 postseason games. \nHe won 13 of them. \nHe retired after the 1980 season \nwith four Super Bowl rings \nand 3,855 career rushing yards, \nninth in franchise history at retirement. \nHe wrote those four words on the mini helmet: \n\"4x SB Champs.\" \nThey are the most earned four words \nin the history of the signed piece catalog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBAS Authentication\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mini helmet has been certified authentic by \n\u003cstrong\u003eBeckett Authentication Services (BAS)\u003c\/strong\u003e \nwith a tamper-proof hologram. \nThe hologram is verifiable at \nBeckett's official website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis mini helmet is certified authentic by \n\u003cstrong\u003eBeckett Authentication Services (BAS)\u003c\/strong\u003e. \nThe tamper-proof hologram is verifiable \nat Beckett's official website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlayer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRocky Bleier (Robert Patrick Bleier)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeam\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePittsburgh Steelers (1968, 1970-1980)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunning Back\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAutographed Mini Football Helmet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInscription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\"4x SB Champs\" — four Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl championships (IX, X, XIII, XIV)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthentication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBAS — Beckett tamper-proof hologram verifiable at Beckett's website\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDraft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e417th overall (16th round), 1968 NFL Draft — Pittsburgh Steelers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMilitary service\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eU.S. Army, Vietnam War; wounded August 20, 1969, Hiep Duc; Bronze Star, Purple Heart\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCareer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3,855 rushing yards, 25 TDs regular season; 4 TDs postseason; played 14 postseason games, won 13\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuper Bowls\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIX (vs. Vikings), X (vs. Cowboys), XIII (vs. Cowboys — TD reception + onside kick recovery), XIV (vs. Rams)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1976 season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1,036 rushing yards — with Franco Harris (1,128), only second NFL backfield duo both to surpass 1,000 yds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExcellent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity Guarantee\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery signed piece at GameDay Sports Memorabilia is backed by our \u003cstrong\u003eLifetime \nAuthenticity Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e. If your item is ever determined to be inauthentic, \nwe will replace or refund it — no questions asked.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vendor-unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53333315551531,"sku":"SC-ROCKY-BLEIER-STEELERS-MINI","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0983\/6124\/5995\/files\/ad541fd0-79d5-4c53-b3cf-66f95dbe3697-1776975986.jpg?v=1776976151","url":"https:\/\/gamedaysportsmemorabilia.com\/products\/rocky-bleier-4x-sb-champs-signed-steelers-mini-helmet-bas-authenticated","provider":"Gameday Sports \u0026 Memorabilia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}