RIP Bill Nunn, famed Steelers scout

Had a stroke two weeks ago and died today at 89:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/05/07/Bill-Nunn-Jr-long-time-Steelers-scout-dies-at-89/stories/201405070182#ixzz314shhoRB

Fitting he would go on the eve of the NFL draft, as Nunn was the man largely responsible for Pittsburgh scouting and drafting HBCU players like L.C. Greenwood (Arkansas A&M), Mel Blount (Southern), Ernie Holmes (Texas Southern), John Stallworth (Alabama A&M) and Donnie Shell (South Carolina State).

Also was ME of the Pittsburgh Courier for a time.

RIP.

 

I just finished reading a book about the rise of the Steelers in the '70s just as the city's economy was failing. Not many realize just how large a part Nunn played in the team's success, which was built largely upon superior scouting.

 

Thanks for the link, Steak.

 

One of my all-time favorite sports books is "Three Bricks Shy of a Load" by Roy Blount Jr., who ate, drank and lived with the Stillers in '73. Ironically, I gave my copy to a co-worker, a niece of Chuck Bednarik's who HATES the Eagles.

 

Imagine if he would have waited just one more year to write that book...

Lambert
Swann
Gilliam
Stalworth

 

Actually, there is an updated version of the book with the original supplemented by articles he wrote about the team in the years that followed. "About Three Bricks Shy....And the Load Filled Up." That is the version I have. Great stuff.

 

I need to find that. Thanks

 

How about for 75 cents?

http://product.half.ebay.com/About-Three-Bricks-Shy-and-the-Load-Filled-Up-by-Roy-Jr-Blount-1989-Paperback/2144693&tg=info