On Pittsburgh 412 Day, a real Yinzer received recognition.
At the yearly Mel Blount Youth Home All-Star Celebrity Roast on Friday at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, Downtown, Bill Cowher of Crafton was the center of attention.
April 12 (412) is designated as Pittsburgh’s Area Code Day.
“Pittsburgh 412 Day—well, I still have a 412 number,” remarked Cowher, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020 who coached the Steelers from 1992 to 2006 and won a Super Bowl XL title. Thus, certain things haven’t altered. I may be wearing jaded glasses because I grew up in Pittsburgh. But to return, the issue is one of community. The focus is not on fanfare. These are actual persons with underlying moral principles. It is preparation and hard effort that leads to success in life.
Mel Blount embodies these principles, according to Cowher. Former Steelers cornerback Blount was a five-time Pro Bowler, four-time Super Bowl victor, and inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Blount has devoted decades to improving the lives of young people following his illustrious career.
The Mel Blount Youth Home, a residential group home that also offered emergency services to young people, was the starting point of this fundraising. In an effort to reach a wider audience, Blount and his wife TiAnda founded the Mel Blount Youth Leadership Initiative, which provides assistance and services to more than 2,000 young people annually.
The initiative’s goal is to give young people access to programs that will give them a safe space to work, learn, play, and develop the values of respect, accountability, and leadership via guidance and moral and character development.
When Blount turned fifty in 1998, the roast started off as a fundraiser for the youth home. On Wednesday, he celebrated turning 76.
According to TiAnda, Blount told his wife that first year that nobody would arrive. Rather, 1,500 people showed up. The one who got roasted was Blount. A few of the attendees asked who the recipient would be the next year. It turned out to be Chuck Noll, the head coach of the Steelers, another Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champion.
Year after year, the Steelers turn up, according to TiAnda. It resembles a large reunion.
She remarked, “The Steelers organization is a family.” They are willing to help when you call on them. This truly is a Pittsburgh neighborhood. In addition to being a roast, this is an opportunity to celebrate Pittsburgh’s history, which the Steelers hold in such high regard.
Guests browsed tables filled with silent auction items during the cocktail hour, including signed jerseys from former Penguins great Sidney Crosby and Pirate Andrew McCutchen, a chair signed by Hall of Famer Steve Cowher, a framed signed photo of former Steelers linebacker Jack Ham, another Hall of Famer, and an autographed helmet from current wide receiver George Pickens.
A specially crafted ice sculpture in Cowher’s honor was present.
Roasted cowher
Merril Hoge, a former running back for the Steelers, was the master of ceremonies for the 900 attendees. Noll first coached Hoge, followed by Cowher. Bill Priatko, the oldest Steeler still alive at ninety-two, was in the audience, and Hoge recognized him.
Hoge then spoke to the assembly.
Hoge responded, “Let me lay out the ground rules.” “None exist.”
Meagan and Lauren, two of Cowher’s three kids, were first in line. They discussed their father’s rivalry and his presence at their basketball games.
