04/07/05 Mel Blount

Mel Blount I recently read an article about a man that I now have to consider a role model and relate his accomplishments to others. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back to tell you this man's name. The person I have to consider a role model for others is former NFL cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mel Blount. Mel grew up on a farm in Georgia and was always proud of that background and the work ethic his dad taught him. Mel's greatest love on the farm was working and playing with the horses. Being a natural athlete, Mel received a football scholarship at Southern University in Baton Rogue, Louisiana, but he kept involved with horses by working for a local horse trainer. So while Mel was improving his football skills he was also learning the art of riding cutting horses. Of course his accomplishments in 14 years as a professional football player are well known and earned him a place in the NFL Hall of Fame. I think what Mel has done with his life after football elevates him to hero status especially since he has done it with the help of horses. Mel and one of his brothers have opened up two licensed youth homes for troubled kids. Horses are used as part of the therapy and his winnings in cutting horse competitions help, in part, to fund the homes. Mel is a devoted family man and has been honored with more than 15 humanitarian awards since 1989, but his new goal is induction into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. With his work ethic and the good paint horses he raises I think he has a very good chance. I'm Jeff Keane. APHA Connection Volume 24 Number 1