Former Steelers scout Bill Nunn selected as Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist

The contingent of Pittsburgh Steelers representatives entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame could increase again in 2021.

Bill Nunn, a long-time scout and administrator who unearthed players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the 1960s, was named posthumously as the Contributor Finalist by the Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

If elected, Nunn would join Steelers’ Class of 2020 members Troy Polamalu, Bill Cowher and Donnie Shell, whose enshrinement was delayed a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Enshrinement for the Class of 2021 is scheduled for Aug. 8, 2021 in Canton, Ohio.

“I am beyond thrilled to hear Bill Nunn has been selected a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Bill’s contributions to the Steelers were extraordinary over the 46 years he was part of the organization. He was a special person that was a close friend and a mentor before his passing in 2014. His lessons and stories are still evident in our everyday work.”

A Homewood native and Westinghouse graduate, Nunn advised the Steelers personnel department while working as a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Courier. It led to a part-job with the Steelers in 1967, which became a full-time position two years later when coach Chuck Noll arrived. Nunn remained with the Steelers until his retirement in 2013.

Nunn is credited with scouting a trio of Hall of Fame players: wide receiver John Stallworth (Alabama A&M), cornerback Mel Blount (Southern) and Shell (South Carolina State) from HBCU schools. He also discovered defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood (Arkansas A&M).

Nunn was an inaugural member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame class in 2010.

“He gave us exposure,” Shell told the Tribune-Review in 2010. “You look back at the picture, and a lot of guys wouldn’t have made it if not for him. What a great legacy, to have opened that door.

“He had some extraordinary gifts. Along with being a writer and communicator, he had the gift of identifying talent. When Bill was scouting, you’d find some diamonds in the rough in black colleges.”

In order for Nunn to be elected, he must receive 80% of the votes by the 48-member selection committee, which will meet Feb. 6, 2021 in Tampa, Fla., on the eve of the Super Bowl. He will be considered along with senior candidate Drew Pearson, coach Tom Flores and 15 modern-era finalists. Nunn’s election will be independent of the other finalists.

Other contributors elected to the Hall of Fame since 2015 are Bill Polian, Ron Wolf, Edward DeBartolo Jr., Jerry Jones, Bobby Beathard, Pat Bowlen, Gil Brandt, Steve Sabol, Paul Tagliabue and George Young.