Life After Football: Mel Blount on Sleep Apnea, Horses, and Kids

This week Nexus Connexus connects with Mel Blount. Mel Blount is an NFL legend, serving with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 through 1983. During that time, he was a 4-time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975, Two-time 1st team All-pro, 5-time Pro Bowler, and is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.

But for all of his on-field accomplishments, he's most proud of what he's doing after the final whistle. He founded the Mel Blount Youth Home - a shelter and Christian mission for victims of child abuse and neglect, and is very involved in working with colleges for early Obstructive Sleep Apnea screenings. He was a long-time friend of Reggie White, and White's passing affected him greatly.

He spent time time this week discussing all this and more on this episode of Nexus Connexus.

00:00 - Intro

02:41 - Introducing Mel Blount

03:12 - Mel's impact on Football

04:16 - Life after the NFL

11:42 - Mel's passion for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

13:26 - Remembering Reggie White

15:30 - Letting Kids be kids

17:08 - Bringing the equine industry to inner-city kids

22:18 - Wrap-up

23:12 - Final Thoughts

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and other sleep-related breathing disorders affect an estimated 20 million Americans. As many as 70 million are undiagnosed with potentially life threatening consequences. And it's not just big guys who are impacted. Nearly 1 in 5 women have sleep apnea, but 9 out of 10 women who have it, don't realize it.

And it doesn't affect just adults. 2-3% of children are believed to have sleep apnea, with the disorder believed to be as high as 10-20% in children who habitually snore.

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