Ex-Steelers CB Blount In More Tax Trouble

The federal government is calling in the debts of a Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer who the Internal Revenue Service said owes more than half a million dollars in back income taxes.

The IRS filed a civil action earlier this year in federal court in Pittsburgh accusing Mel Blount of owing more than $631,000 in federal income taxes between 1994 and 2006.

In September, the U.S. attorney's office officially filed a complaint against Blount, and gave him 60 days to respond. They said he didn't respond, and his 60 days are now up.

That means the government can hold Blount in default. If that happens, the government can legally seize his assets.

According to a court document filed by the IRS, "despite notice and demand for payment," Blount has failed to pay.

Notification from the IRS was sent to the ex-Steeler at the Mel Blount Youth Home, a multi-service treatment program for young males who are victims of child abuse and neglect.

A copy of the federal complaint against the former Steeler detailed how he fell behind on his federal income taxes. The document stated that starting in 1994 comma Blount owed $87,355.41.

Each year the debt accumulated by several thousand dollars -- except in 1996, when he owed hundreds of thousands -- $205,705.03 that year.

The 61-year-old Blount was a key member of the Steelers' first four Super Bowl teams, and his 57 career interceptions remain a team record.

He retired in 1983 and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989 -- the same year he established the youth home near Claysville.

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