C.J. Goodwin came recommended by Steelers Hall of Fame CB Mel Blount

New steelers WR CJ Goodwin worked for Mel Blount. Blount called steelers to get Goodwin a tryout. Week later they sign him. #CalU

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) June 4, 2014

When a Hall of Fame player calls his old team, the old team picks up the phone.

When Mel Blount calls the Steelers, they answer. And in some cases, the Steelers work out, and eventually sign, the player he recommends.

According to Tribune Review reporter Mark Kaboly, the newest Steelers wide receiver, C.J. Goodwin, worked for Blount. At his behest, the Steelers gave Goodwin a tryout, and a week later, he's on the team.

It's not what you know, it's who you know, especially when the "who" has four rings, a gold jacket and a bronze bust in a quaint Ohio town.

It seemed curious the Steelers would sign a player with relatively unremarkable collegiate statistics and physical measurements. Blount himself would still be considered an enormous cornerback at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, and his athleticism was off the charts.

Goodwin is there now for a reason, so perhaps he's an adept route-runner or has the greatest hands the game has ever seen. Why would Blount vouch for him otherwise? Perhaps we'll find that out shortly, but it's an interesting story.

Editor's note: An astute reader pointed out there's a connection between Blount's son, Akil, and Goodwin. Both were enrolled the Linsly School in Wheeling, W.Va., with Goodwin being the older of the two.