posted by Robert Snell (The Detroit News)
Steel Curtain falls on Pittsburgh star Mel Blount
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn't the only Pittsburgh Steelers star in trouble. The IRS is trying to seize Hall of Fame Steelers cornerback Mel Blount's retirement benefits to satisfy a $652,000 federal tax debt.

On March 11, the U.S. Department of Justice sued Blount in federal court, claiming he has failed to pay delinquent taxes owed between 1994 and 2006, according to court records.

The government also sued the NFL's retirement plan. That's because the IRS two years ago tried to seize all of Blount's rights to retirement benefits, and sent notices, but the NFL's retirement plan failed to forward any payments to the tax agency, according to the lawsuit.

Blount was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Before retiring in 1983, he founded the Mel Blount Youth Home in Vidalia, Ga., and later opened another home in rural Pennsylvania.

On Nov. 27, the U.S. won a judgment against Blount for $652,207 plus interest for the following tax liabilities:

What's owed:

The IRS filed an $87,355 lien against Blount for unpaid 1994 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $98,584 lien for unpaid 1995 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $205,705 lien for unpaid 1996 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $4,797 lien for unpaid 1998 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $77,079 lien for unpaid 1999 income taxes.
The IRS filed an $18,293 lien for unpaid 2000 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $43,405 lien for unpaid 2001 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $7,290 lien for unpaid 2002 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $7,169 lien for unpaid 2003 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $37,310 lien for unpaid 2004 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $12,076 lien for unpaid 2005 income taxes.
The IRS filed a $32,038 lien for unpaid 2006 income taxes.

His side:

Blount's lawyer could not be reached for comment.