Behind the Bronze: Mel Blount

Two-hundred-sixty bronze busts reside in the Hall of Fame Gallery inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. They "immortalize" the greatest players, coaches, and contributors that this game has produced.

Mel Blount

Mel Blount was selected in the third round of the 1970 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He quickly developed into one of the finest cornerbacks ever to play the game. The four-time All-Pro recorded 57 career interceptions and recovered 13 opponents' fumbles during his career that spanned from 1970 to 1983. He was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1989. Mel Blount's HOF Bio>>>

Hobbies: I have a lot of hobbies. I love riding horses, I love to fish, and I love taking walks through the woods.

Last Book You Read: Family Matters by Reverend Victor J. Grigsby.

Favorite Food: I grew up on a farm so I love vegetables.

Favorite Current NFL Player: Troy Polamalu

Favorite Athlete in Another Sport: I love to watch Tony Parker.

Favorite NFL Team as a Child: Baltimore Colts.

First Job: The first job I had was working at Metro Glass in Elizabeth City, New Jersey. I was a freshman in college and I went up there in the summer to spend some time with my sister and I got a job there.

Favorite NFL Stadium During Your Career (other than Three Rivers): I always loved the Coliseum out in Los Angles. It was big but I enjoyed playing on that grass.

One Person Who Influenced You Most: My high school coach and his name is Jimmy Thacker.

Did you have any pre-game rituals/superstitions? No, I never had any pre-game rituals. I thought just being prepared was enough. And, I would go to chapel service before every game and then go out and play.

Was there a reason for choosing No. 47? In college, I was No. 48 and when I came to the Steelers that number was taken. So, the next number was 47. But, when I got to the Steelers I really wanted to wear No. 48.

Toughest Opponent: Probably Earl Campbell. He was just a dynamic athlete with a lot of speed and a lot of power. He was just a great football player.

Watch: Mel Blount recalls his most memorable game.

Most Influential Coach: Jimmy Thacker who really influenced me in high school and made me believe I could play football. And, obviously right behind him would be Chuck Noll.

How would you spend time during the offseason? A lot of off-seasons I would go back down south because I lived down there. Then, later in my career I spent my off-season doing community work.

What makes you most proud about your Hall of Fame career: The journey. The journey itself makes me proud to wind up at this place.

When did you realize you had a Hall of Fame career? I never realized it. I don't think any player comes into the league and plays to get to the Hall of Fame. I think it's something that just happens with your body of work. Even when you're out of the game for five years, you're still not sure you'll wind up here.

How did you learn of your Hall of Fame election? I learned of it through a phone call from a Hall of Fame committee member. It was a chilling experience; it just sent chills through your body. It's really quite an honor.

Did you consider anyone other than Dan Rooney as your presenter? No. Because I watched Dan take over that team. He was just starting to run that team in the 1970s and he just did a great job putting it together.

If you could do your Enshrinement Speech over today, what would you change? I don't think I would change anything. The Hall of Fame speech is something that you speak from your heart. But, that said, I think I probably would mention or give credit to more people. I think all of us would do that if we could do it again.

Your greatest accomplishment outside of football: My boys home is something I'm proud of to help families having trouble with their kids. It really reaches out to the community.