Bill Nunn Jr., a pro football pioneer who helped open doors into the National Football League for black players and personnel, worked on the National Football League draft right until the end.
A part-time scout for the Steelers long after his retirement, Mr. Nunn suffered a stroke two weeks ago while analyzing college prospects at the team's South Side training facility. He died late Tuesday at UPMC Presbyterian from complications of that stroke. He was 89 and resided in Pittsburgh.
The NFL draft runs today through Saturday, and the Steelers will have Mr. Nunn's opinions handy when they make their picks.
"I think he will be giving them a hand if he can," said his son, Bill Nunn III. "I have a feeling it's going to be a good draft for them."
William G. Nunn Jr., who succeeded his father as managing editor of The Pittsburgh Courier, became the first African-American appointed to a front-office position with the Steelers and held the title of senior assistant in their player personnel office when he died.
Mr. Nunn worked for the Steelers for 46 years and is best known for discovering overlooked players from historically black colleges who became Super Bowl champions with the Steelers. As one of the longest tenured employees of the Steelers, Mr. Nunn also held the distinction of being one of a select few in the organization with six Super Bowl rings.
"As in the world he worked in, he expected the best from us and we just never wanted to disappoint him. He would do anything for us and always did," said his daughter, Lynell Nunn. "He was at work when he got sick. This was the prime time [for the draft]. He was in there every day, getting ready for the draft. We got the call they were taking him over to the hospital."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/05/07/Bill-Nunn-Jr-long-time-Steelers-scout-dies-at-89/stories/201405070182#ixzz317evR7I3
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