American · Vidalia, Georgia · Born 10 April 1948Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback so dominant the NFL changed its rules on bump-and-run coverage because of him.
Melvin Cornell Blount was born on 10 April 1948 in Vidalia, Georgia, and attended Lyons High School before playing college football at Southern University, a historically Black institution. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Blount in the third round, 53rd overall, of the 1970 NFL Draft, and he developed into one of the most dominant cornerbacks in NFL history, so effective at physically disrupting receivers at the line of scrimmage that the league implemented what became known as the "Mel Blount Rule" in 1978, limiting contact between defenders and receivers beyond five yards. Blount won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 1975 after leading the league in interceptions, and helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowl championships during the 1970s as part of the legendary "Steel Curtain" defence. Blount earned five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honours across his 14-season career, finishing with 57 interceptions, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, later being named to the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams as one of the most influential defensive backs the sport has produced.
Steelers CB, inspired the 'Mel Blount Rule'
How They Played
Physical, aggressive cornerback known for jamming receivers at line of scrimmage and devastating hits
Lasting Impact
Transformed cornerback position with physical style, key member of Steel Curtain defense, rule changes made because of his dominant play
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame 1989
- 1975 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- 4x Super Bowl champion
- 5x Pro Bowl
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1970–1983 | 200 |
American Athletes