Steelers Legend Rocky Bleier delivers message of perseverance to Hatfield students
Steelers legend Rocky Bleier delivers message of perseverance to Hatfield students
Students at Hatfield Elementary School had an opportunity to hear from a Pittsburgh Steelers legend Thursday as former NFL running back and U.S. Army veteran Rocky Bleier visited the school to share stories about his career, military service and the importance of overcoming adversity.
Bleier, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, spoke with students about the Beating the Odds Foundation efforts.
For Bleier, the opportunity to speak with students was especially rewarding because of their enthusiasm and willingness to participate.
“The interesting thing, for me specifically, is the reaction of the students,” Bleier said. “They’re great: You ask them a question, and all their hands go up.”
He added he enjoyed seeing the students’ enthusiasm for football, more specifically their support for the Steelers, while also emphasizing the visit was about something much bigger than the game.
The message he hoped students would take away was that they could overcome obstacles and pursue their goals regardless of the challenges they encounter.
“You can become whatever you want to become; you can overcome obstacles,” Bleier said.
He emphasized the importance of having a support system, believing in yourself and refusing to give up when life becomes difficult.
Bleier also drew from his own experiences overcoming injuries during his football career, explaining that setbacks are part of life and that perseverance is often what allows people to move forward.
“You have to have that mentality that becomes very important, not to give up,” he said.
Mike Rozgony, principal of Hatfield Elementary School, described Bleier’s visit as a special opportunity for the school community.
“To know that we’re the only school in the country, in the world, that had Rocky Bleier, the American hero, veteran, Steeler legend, to have him here, blessing us with his words of wisdom and just sharing stories,” Rozgony said. “It means the world to have him here.”
Rozgony said the visit also provided an opportunity to recognize veterans and their contributions, particularly in Fayette County, which has a significant veteran population.
He said it was important for students to understand and appreciate the experiences of veterans not just on Veterans Day, but throughout the year.
“It’s what leadership is all about,” Rozgony said. “Knowing that our students are getting blessed with that knowledge and the history, just so it’s never forgotten.”
The visit was also connected to the work of the Beating the Odds Foundation, an organization that provides opportunities for young people to pursue their interests and aspirations.
Rozgony said he has been involved with the organization for 12 years and has seen firsthand how its programs can influence students’ futures.
He pointed to two students, Jacob Hudock and Moses Cacao, as examples of the opportunities the organization can provide.
Hudock, an eighth-grade student at Laurel Highlands Middle School, participated in a program that included a visit to a NASA facility in Washington, D.C., where students learned about pursuing their dreams and goals.
“It felt really interesting,” Hudock said. “I sort of felt more grown-up.”
Hudock said the program gave students an opportunity to explore possibilities for their futures and learn about careers and opportunities they might not otherwise experience.
Rozgony said Cacao also benefited from the program, having the opportunity to visit the United Aviate Flight Center and fly an airplane as an eighth-grader. Cacao hopes to become an airline pilot.
For Rozgony, those experiences demonstrate the lasting impact organizations like Beating the Odds can have on young people.
For Bleier, the opportunity to share his experiences and encourage the next generation remains an important part of his work.
He said the most important message students can take away from hearing stories about people who have overcome adversity is simple: Don’t give up, believe in yourself and take advantage of the opportunities available.