ESPN Omits Steelers Icon Mel Blount In Ridiculous List Of Top 11 Cornerbacks In NFL History

The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for their defense. During the Super Bowl era, they have fielded some of the most dominant units in NFL history. The Steel Curtain teams of the 1970s, the Blitzburgh teams of the 1990s, and the dominant defenses from 2004-2011 are the most well-known. The Steelers have Hall of Fame players at every level on that side of the ball.

The Steelers defenders are so prolific that many of them are in the conversation for the best player ever at their position. You can make the argument that Joe Greene is the best defensive lineman in the history of the NFL. Jack Lambert and Jack Ham are at home in any list of the best linebackers to ever play in the NFL. Troy Polamalu is at or near the top of the safety list.

On Wednesday, ESPN's SportsCenter used their Twitter account to list the 11 best cornerbacks in the history of the NFL with one additional spot for others. Deion Sanders, Dick Lane, and the Steelers’ Rod Woodson were among the group listed. Current NFL players Jalen Ramsey and another Steelers player Patrick Peterson were also listed for fans to pick.

Woodson is a fine player and rightfully in the Hall of Fame, but he is not the best Steelers cornerback. Mel Blount, a first-ballot Hall of Fame cornerback, was shockingly left off this list. Blount was so dominant in his era, the NFL had to change the rules for opposing offenses to compete. The omission from an organization that pretends to be a sports network is gross negligence.

Blount would be an imposing figure in today’s NFL without the upgrades he would benefit from in modern training. Blount was 6'3" and weighed in at 205 lbs. According to multiple sources, including CBS Sports, he ran a low 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. His measurables 53 years ago would still merit a first-round selection in the modern draft. Now imagine if he had the benefit of modern diets and training.

Many people outside of Pittsburgh prefer Sanders as the best cornerback in history, but he was one-dimensional. He was an elite cover corner and maybe the best returner in the history of the NFL, but he was not very good against the run. 

Blount was beyond physical. The beating he laid on the Dallas Cowboys' Drew Pearson in Super Bowl X was why the NFL ultimately created the "Mel Blount Rule," limiting contact within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. The first year the rule was implemented, Blount led the league in interceptions.

“If I was playing in today’s game, they’re throwing the ball what, 80% of the time, I’m coming out of every game with two interceptions or more. I had 11 interceptions in 1975. They were throwing the ball 13 times a game. They did not throw the ball a whole lot,” said Blount.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Tells Bill Cowher That Joe Greene And Mel Blount Could Still Suit Up

Blount has not played a down in almost 40 seasons, so it is easy to overlook his greatness, but to not make the list? It is a bitter pill to swallow for anyone who watched him play. On a recent Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger podcast with Bill Cowher as a guest, Ben Roethlisberger said that both Blount and Greene could still suit up if called upon.

“I’ll tell you this Spence [Spencer T’eo],” Roethlisberger observed, “I would say this [about] Joe Greene and Mel Blount specifically. If you ask them to go play one or two downs, they could still do it.”

Both men are in their 70s and are in excellent shape. It is probably hyperbole, but Cowher did not disagree with the premise. The idea of senior citizens in pads and a helmet might be a little farfetched, but the pop they would get trotting on the field would be epic. 

ESPN’s Twitter account should apologize for the omission and insinuation that somehow two active cornerbacks are superior to the Hall of Fame cornerback, Blount. This is just plain tom-foolery to leave out the man who paved the way for the offensive explosions we are seeing in the modern game. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you outraged by ESPN omitting Blount? Please comment below, or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.

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