Remembering Mel Blount’s Roots

October 5, 2022

Today’s featured inductee is four-time Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback and former Southern University and Lyons Industrial player Mel Blount. Blount was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, and into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame in October, 2022.

Mel Blount, the youngest of 11 children, was a four-sport athlete at Lyons Industrial before becoming one of the greatest cornerbacks to play the game. He excelled as a prep star after mastering what he called the “country football” style his seven older brothers instilled in him. Lyons Industrial was a small Toombs County school for African Americans that closed shortly after Blount graduated in the 1960s. Despite limited exposure, Blount earned a scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., and twice was named Southwestern Athletic Conference MVP and earned Pro Scouts All American as a safety and cornerback. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Blount with the 53rd overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, and he earned the starting cornerback job in 1972 and held the role for 12 years. Blount led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 1975 and was the league’s defensive MVP. He was a three-time All-Pro selection and four-time Super Bowl champion. Blount’s physical style prompted the NFL to change its rules in 1978 to prevent contact with receivers beyond five yards of the line of scrimmage. In 1989, Blount was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1991, he was named one of the Eight National Heroes by the U.S. News and World Report for his impact off the field. He was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All Time Team in 1994.

Reported by the Georgia High School Football Daily.

Posted by: Billy Yarbrough, LHSAA Sports Editor