Steelers teach life lessons at Blount Youth Home
Steelers rookie wide receiver Demarcus Ayers holds the ankles of Mario Griffin of Washington while he participates in a push-up contest during an event Friday at the Mel Blount Youth Home.
Steelers rookie corneback Artie Burns helps the kids run agility and skill drills Friday.
Michael Gurnick and Zach Houston of Greensburg work their way through an obstacle course Friday while Steelers rookie linebacker Tyler Matakevich looks on.
Former Steelers player Mel Blount takes a moment Friday to introduce the Steelers’ rookie players to the kids at the Mel Blount Youth Home in Claysville.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter Chauncie Mickens of Carnegie climbs up a ladder and goes down the other side while Steelers rookie players encourage him.
Jordan Brinson of Pittsburgh jumps during an agility drill Friday while Steelers rookie wide receiver Canaan Severin cheers him on.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter TiAnda Blount, Mel Blount’s wife and Mel Blount Youth Home Board of Directors member, beat all the Steelers rookies in a push-up competition.
Katie Roupe/Observer-Reporter The Steelers rookies spent the day with Mel Blount and children at the Mel Blount Youth Home in Claysville Friday, May 27. The players led the young athletes through drills and encouraged them to work hard and follow their dreams.
TAYLORSTOWN – Since 1989, the Mel Blount Youth Home has offered at-risk youths the opportunity to better themselves under the guidance of Mel and TiAnda Blount.
The home, which is nestled along the banks of Buffalo Creek on Route 221 in Taylorstown, was the host Friday to something different.
It’s not a stretch for football to be a focus at the Mel Blount Youth Home. Its founder and namesake is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and spent 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning four Super Bowls.
On this day, there’s a buzz around the sprawling farm. The Steelers, as they have done every year since 2009, are sending their rookies to meet and interact with a group of youths gathered from a number of different organizations that have partnered with the Mel Blount Youth Home.
The Steelers’ rookie class led the group of about 50 boys through a series of physical workouts and talks, some centered on football but mostly revolving around life experiences.
“You guys are in the best time of your lives,” undrafted wide receiver Canaan Severin told his group. “You guys, 10 years from now are going to say, ‘Remember going to Mel Blount’s camp?’ Enjoy this. Have a good time. These are the best years. You’re going to get old like us and wish you were young. Have fun. School is vital. I just graduated from the University of Virginia last week. It’s a great feeling. Do well in school, listen to your parents, they want the best for you, and you will be successful in whatever you do.”
Marcus Tucker, also a wide receiver, built on those words.
“My mother went to community college. My dad didn’t go to college,” he said. “I was just a knucklehead little kid. I never listened to my mother and father, always doing the opposite of what they were telling me to do. And it ended up leading me to being ineligible for my senior year in high school, so I couldn’t play (football) and missed the season. I just want you guys to know that at some point, somebody is going to tell you no, you can’t play any more. Or, you’re going to decide that for yourself – I can’t play.
“At some point, you’re not going to be good enough to play or you’re going to take yourself out of the game. Education is the best way to go. Make sure you get your degree. Make sure you go to college. Do your schoolwork and listen to your parents. At the end of the day, the degree is something that nobody can take away from you.”
The day wasn’t just about learning for the kids. The players got another opportunity to bond as well, something Blount said was just as important.
That’s why when the idea came about for the Steelers rookies to make the 45-minute bus ride to Taylorstown a yearly event, Blount was completely receptive to the idea.
”When we heard about them coming out, I know everybody thought it was great,” Blount said. “It’s been something the Steelers have been happy with, and we’ve been happy with it. They have a great time working with the kids and the kids love it. It’s a win-win.”
The program is one of several Blount does annually as the facility transitions away from being a year-round home for kids to one that focuses more on working with local groups as a kind of day camp.
The Mel Blount Youth Home will host a youth summit July 15 in conjunction with a several organzations that is expected to be attended by as many as 1,000 children.
“We’ll have stations set up and experts talking about different issues, whether it’s bullying or gangs, all of the stuff that young people are dealing with,” Blount said. “We’re excited about that. Our whole mission here at the Mel Blount Youth Home is to develop kids, not only morally but educate them and make them productive in society.”
On this day, it’s all about the Steelers. Prior to breaking off into groups and heading to the obstacle course, the players introduced themselves. Everyone there had heard about the draft picks, most notably first-round choice Artie Burns, a cornerback from Miami of Florida.
This day, however, isn’t about who was drafted or where they’re from. It’s about the kids.
And the kids enjoyed every minute of working out with the players, whether it be Burns or second-round draft pick Sean Davis, or Severin and Tucker.
They bear crawl and run through some obstacles, climb or vault over some others. Everyone has a good time, especially TiAna Blount, who shows some abilty of her own on an inverted push-up station, besting the group of players she’s competing with, much to the delight of everybody.
Then, it’s time for the players to go, head back to the grind of football and away from the temporary outlet this has provided from the pressures of trying to make the roster of a pro football team.
Mel Blount reminds the kids one last time about why this all took place.
“One day, you kids can be where they are,” he said pointing to the players, “whether it’s in athletics or business, whatever it is that you want to do in life, if you’re willing to make those kind of sacrifices and commitments. Don’t be distracted or let anybody influence you and it can happen for you. This day serves a whole lot of purposes. It’s not just about athletics. It’s about how you prepare yourself to be successful in life.”