Steelers legends Mel Blount and Charlie Batch are working together on the Football Legacy Subcommittee to help Pittsburgh host the 2026 NFL Draft, with Batch serving as a co-chair, according to an April 18 announcement.
Their collaboration highlights a shared commitment to both the team and the community. Less than a week before the draft, Blount honored Batch at the 2026 Mel Blount Youth Home All-Star Celebrity Roast, recognizing his impact off the field. “I wanted to show Charlie how much I respect and appreciate who he is, what he represents as a former Steelers player, as a man, especially as a Black athlete,” said Blount. “I’ve always admired Charlie, and I’m honored that he would let us recognize him. Our event, we call it a roast, but what we try to do is let them know that somebody else is watching them and appreciates who they are and what they represent.”
Batch played for his hometown Steelers for 11 seasons after joining from Detroit in 2002. He was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams during his career with Pittsburgh. Beyond football achievements—including six Super Bowl championships by the franchise according to the official website—Batch’s contributions include founding the Best of the Batch Foundation in memory of his sister Danyl Settles.
The foundation has provided educational programs for over 3,800 children across nine counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania for more than two decades. “It’s humbling to be honored by Mel because I know the amount of work that he puts into what he’s doing with the youth home and the programs they have,” said Batch.
The Steelers organization has recognized figures such as Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene in their Hall of Honor as listed on their official website, celebrating both athletic achievement and community involvement. The Hall of Honor Museum at Acrisure Stadium displays these legacies through artifacts according to its official website. Community engagement remains central for Pittsburgh’s National Football League franchise as outlined online.
Reflecting on giving back, Blount said: “When you talk about what a Pittsburgh Steelers player is, he’s more than just a player out there on the field. He’s someone in the community that’s making an impact.”
