Top 30 NFL players of the 1900s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1900s

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers passes during pregame warm up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 13, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the 49ers 30-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

9 of 30

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 4: Cornerback Mel Blount #47 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackles wide receiver Clint Sampson #84 of the Denver Broncos during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on September 4, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 14-10. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

22. Mel Blount

If you gave 100 receivers from the 1970s the option of either taunting an angry bull or running across the middle of the field with Mel Blount lurking, a good number of them would choose the bull.

You know someone is good when a rule is made specifically to stop them from being so dominant, but they continue to be great in spite of it. Saying Mel Blount was somewhat physical at the line of scrimmage would be like saying Bob Ross was somewhat passionate about painting.

Blount’s physicality became so prevalent that one of the many rule changes of 1978 included the five yard illegal contact rule, where defensive backs couldn’t make contact with receivers beyond five yards downfield.

Blount was a five-time Pro Bowler and was named to two All-Pro teams, one of which came after the rule changes of 1978. He finished his career with 57 interceptions, and is responsible for one of the best interceptions in NFL history in Super Bowl IX, sealing the deal for Pittsburgh;s first Super Bowl of the 1970s. The Steelers’ lockdown cornerback was Defensive Player of the Year in 1975 and was named as part of the NFL’s 1980’s Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

Home/NFL