When Mel Blount turned 50, he wanted to celebrate with his family, friends, and former teammates. But he also wanted to do something that would help others at the same time. So with that, the Mel Blount All-Star Celebrity Roast was born, and it continues to this day.
Each year Blount honors, and entertainingly roasts, a former Steelers player at the event, with the proceeds benefitting the Mel Blount Youth Home, and more recently the Mel Blount Youth Leadership Initiative.
This year's honoree is Steelers' outside linebackers coach Joey Porter. Porter will be honored at the dinner, which will be held on April 7 at the Westin Convention Center, for his contribution to the Steelers as a player and coach, as well as his passion to give back. Porter and his wife Christy opened three different Jasmine Nyree Day Centers in their hometown of Bakersfield, California, a place where children with special needs, from age three to high school, receive the attention, teaching, and development they need, something that came about because their daughter Jasmine is autistic.
"It's great that we share that passion," said Blount. "I knew there was something about Joey. I just knew he was a good guy. I've always believed in him when he played and got to know him. I am happy he is doing some good things."
Jerome Bettis, Porter's former teammate, will be the emcee and other former teammates will help roast Porter at the dinner.
Tickets are still available, and can be purchased by clicking on Mel Blount All-Star Celebrity Roast Tickets.
