Mel Blount is finest identified to soccer followers because the ferocious, lockdown cornerback of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Tremendous Bowl dynasty. A Corridor of Famer with a fame for punishing hits and unshakable protection, Blount earned his place among the many NFL’s biggest. However lengthy earlier than the gold jacket and championship rings, Blount honed his craft at one in all HBCU soccer’s most storied applications—Southern College.
In 1989, he was enshrined within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. Greater than twenty years later, in 2011, he was inducted into the second class of the Black School Soccer Corridor of Fame, cementing his legacy in each skilled and Black school soccer historical past.
Mel’s legacy didn’t finish together with his retirement from soccer. It continues via his sons—Akil and Jibri—each of whom proudly carried the HBCU torch in their very own athletic journeys.
Household Legacy
Akil Blount adopted a well-known path to greatness. A standout HBCU linebacker at Florida A&M College, he earned All-MEAC honors whereas enjoying beneath one other Steeler nice, Earl Holmes. After school, he signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and later earned a camp invite from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. However Akil’s post-football chapter took a unique flip—into the household’s different ardour: horses.
At this time, Akil is a rising star in slicing, a aggressive equestrian occasion that mixes horsemanship with precision and velocity. Representing the household’s Blount 47 Ranch, he travels the nation competing and profitable on the slicing circuit, including one other layer to the Blount legacy.
Jibri Blount took a unique route, one which started on the basketball court docket. After beginning at Cleveland State, he transferred to North Carolina Central College to play beneath LeVelle Moton. Jibri blossomed into the 2019–2020 MEAC Participant of the Yr there. His school profession ended abruptly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however his athletic journey didn’t. Like different basketball gamers transitioning to soccer, he earned an NFL camp invitation from the Miami Dolphins in 2021 as a decent finish.
Household Exercise
The Blount household is now having fun with a brand new sort of visibility via social media. The place Akil and Jibri share their exercises and brotherly banter. However what actually captures consideration is Mel Blount himself—nonetheless robust, limber, and remarkably match at 77 years previous. Watching him keep lively alongside his sons is a testomony to the self-discipline and drive that outlined his profession.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Mel returned to the household’s Georgia-based properties and immersed himself on the earth of horses. At this time, he stays a proud figurehead of the Blount 47 Ranch. Supporting Akil’s ascent within the slicing horse trade whereas serving as a mentor, father, and statesman for the household model.
The Blount identify continues to resonate—on the sphere, within the area, and throughout generations.
