Selmon, Lee Roy
Football
b. Oct. 20, 1954, Eufaula, OK
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Selmon was a consensus All-American as a defensive tackle in 1975, when he won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award as the outstanding college lineman of the year. A three-year starter at the University of Oklahoma, he played for teams that won 43 games while losing only 2 and tying 1. Barry Switzer said Selmon was the greatest player he ever coached at Oklahoma.
The first player chosen in the 1976 NFL college draft, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Selmon quickly established himself as a dominant defensive player. Although listed as a defensive tackle, he often moved to end or played as a standup outside linebacker to take advantage of his great speed and agility.
A consensus All-Pro for six straight seasons from 1979 through 1984, Selmon was named defensive player of the year by the Associated Press and The Sporting News in 1979 and was chosen as defensive lineman of the year by the NFL Players Association in 1980 and 1981. He retired after the 1985 season because of chronic back problems.
In nine seasons and 121 games, Selmon had 23 quarterback sacks. He recovered 10 fumbles, one for a touchdown.
Since retiring, Selmon has been active in volunteer work with the Special Olympics and the United Negro College Fund Sports Committee. He has worked for the athletic department at the University of South Florida since 1993, including three years as the school's athletic director. His brothers, Dewey and Lucious, also played at Oklahoma and in the NFL.