IRS: Retired Steeler owes $631K in back taxes

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service is alleging that a Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer owes more than half-a-million dollars in back income taxes.

The IRS filed a civil action Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh. It accuses Mel Blount of owing more than $631,000 in federal income taxes between 1994 and 2006.

Blount did not immediately return a message left Tuesday at the Mel Blount Youth Home, about 30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. It was not clear if he had an attorney.

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.

Blount 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.