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image: Mel Blount

Mel Blount

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Inducted: 1997
Induction Class: Billy Mills (Track & Field), Kevin Johnson (Basketball), Mel Blount (Football)
Sport: Football
Years Active: 1970-1983
Born: April 10, 1948
Birthplace: Vidalia, Georgia
Community Focus: Children & Youth
Foundation: Mel Blount Youth Home

Mel Blount, five-time All Pro-Bowl player with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, has built a life after football involved in charity work and as an advocate for victims of child abuse.  Blount was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 1997, which included basketball great Kevin Johnson, and Olympic runner Billy Mills.

Melvin Blount was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1970 National Football League draft, and played with the Steelers as a defensive back for 14 seasons before retiring in 1983. During his professional career, Blount collected four Super Bowl rings, five Pro-Bowl selections, four All-Pro selections, one Pro-Bowl MVP award, and one defensive player of the year award. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

Following his retirement in 1983, Blount became the NFL’s Director of Player Relations as well as becoming very involved in charity works. In 1983 Blount founded the Mel Blount Youth Home, a shelter for victims of child abuse, in his native Vidalia. In 1989 he established a similar home in Claysville, Pennsylvania.