Mel Blount
College: Southern
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1970-1983)
Super Bowl Wins: 1975, 1976, 1979 & 1980
Accolades: Two-Time First Team All-Pro, Five-Time Pro Bowl, Defensive Player of the Year, Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 1989)
Summary: One of the most rugged members of the Steel Curtain defense, Blount revolutionized the position of cornerback and influenced the league to change its rules because of his dominance in the 1970s.
The former third round pick introduced a new prototype the cornerback position. At 6-3, 205 pounds, Blount routinely used his strength at the line of scrimmage to win one-on-one matchups with wide receivers. Opposing wideouts had such a tough time getting open against Blount, in 1977 the league introduced new pass interference rules that defenders could not touch route-runners past five yards.
But Blount wasn’t just a one-trick pony. Along with his strength and size, Blount used his great speed and exceptional hands to be one of the league’s greatest ballhawks. He won defensive player of the year in 1975—nabbing a league-high 11 interceptions.
Originally posted 2019-01-29 16:03:19.
