Rocky Bleier to speak at Special Olympics dinner

 MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) -- Former Pittsburgh Steeler standout Rocky Bleier is
scheduled to speak at a fundraising dinner and auction for Special Olympics
Montana in Missoula.
   The Missoulian  reports Bleier plans to tell those at the Montana Sports Legends
 banquet on March 16 about hope and turning points, in football and in life.
   Bleier played for Ara Parseghian at Notre Dame and had an undistinguished
rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Army in 1968. In
August 1969, he suffered bullet and shrapnel wounds to both legs. A doctor told him
he'd never play football again.
   But he received a postcard from Steelers owner Art Rooney, saying the team
needed him. Rooney put him on injured reserve, paying him during the next season,
while he recovered.
   The Steelers went on to win Super Bowls in the 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979
seasons with Bleier as an all-purpose back.
   Bleier serves on the International Special Olympics board of directors.
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   AP-WF-03-05-12 2209GMT