Based on Bleier's 1975 autobiography of the same name, it tells the story of how, after becoming a running back for the Steelers in 1968, he was then drafted by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Acting
Robert Urich's quiet desperation hits harder than his touchdowns
Production
Actual Steelers footage and Howard Cosell playing himself
Direction
Lieberman lets the silence of injury speak
Director
Rob Lieberman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Bleier himself was on set daily and reportedly hated Urich's mustache because it wasn't 'period accurate' for his 1968 look. Petty king.
This aired on ABC in 1980, the same year as the Iran hostage crisis — networks were desperate for 'healing' Vietnam narratives that let America feel okay about itself again.
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