Mel Blount

Melvin Cornell Blount (born April 10, 1948 in Vidalia, Georgia) is a former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back and six-time All-Pro. He is considered one of the greatest ever to play his position in the NFL. His physical style of play made him one of the most feared defensive backs in the game at a time when pass interference rules were less stringent than they are now.

Early life

The early years of his life were spent in poverty on a Georgia farm. But by college, Mel was a star in baseball, football, basketball, and track. Upon graduation, he was offered a scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While there, he was a Pro-Scouts All-American pick as both safety and cornerback which he would soon change the way football is played in the secondary forever.

Playing career

Mel Blount was the prototype cornerback of his era and a major reason why the Steelers were the dominant team of the National Football League in the 1970s. A third-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, he had ideal size, speed, and quickness for the position, plus the toughness and mental ability to adjust his coverage tactics and excel despite rule changes that favored receivers.

A Pro-Scouts All-American as both a safety and cornerback at Southern University, Blount became a starter in the Steelers secondary beginning in 1972. That season, he didn’t allow a single touchdown. A fixture at right cornerback, Mel was equally effective playing either zone or man-to-man...
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