A retired Tampa resident, known as an outstanding athlete and humanitarian, suffered a massive stroke at his home on Friday. He died at St. Joseph\u2019s Hospital on Sunday. He was surrounded by family members at the time of his death.<\/p>\n
The family of Lee Roy Selmon<\/strong> issued the following statement: \u201cIt is with very heavy hearts that the Selmon<\/strong> Family announces the passing of our beloved husband, father and brother, Lee Roy Selmon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cFor all his accomplishments on and off the field, to us Lee Roy<\/strong> was the rock of our family. This has been a sudden and shocking event and we are devastated by this unexpected loss. We deeply appreciate the prayers and support shown by family, friends, the football community and the public over the past two days. “[private]<\/strong> Funeral Services<\/strong> Funeral services for Mr. Lee Roy Selmon<\/strong> will take place on Friday, 10 a.m., at Idlewild Baptist Church, 18371 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz. A wake will take place Thursday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Exciting Central Tampa Baptist Church, 2923 N. Tampa Street. The family will be present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Wilson\u2019s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.<\/p>\n In Lieu Of Flowers<\/strong> Friends Comment<\/strong> \u201cSomeone like him dying so young is just a tragedy, Williams<\/strong> said.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer David Lewis<\/strong> played with Selmon<\/strong> for 5 years. However, their friendship has lasted more than 30 years. Lewis<\/strong> recalled those early years when the Bucs team was filled with major college winners \u2013 the Selmon<\/strong> brothers were from Oklahoma, Lewis<\/strong>, Danny Reece<\/strong> and Ricky Bell<\/strong> were from USC, other players were from winning programs at Penn State and University of Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were all from winning programs and it was difficult getting used to losing. Lee Roy<\/strong>, the first original Buc had to endure all the ridicule, jokes and hecklers. Being a new team, we didn\u2019t have veteran players to show us the way or tell us how to do it. We had to feel our way. The fun we shared on the field then made the bond of brotherhood that we share today \u2013 we\u2019re there for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven back then,\u201d Lewis<\/strong> stated of the early years, Lee Roy<\/strong> tried to walk the life Christ has set for all of us.<\/p>\n \u201cI still remember how Walter Payton<\/strong> used to describe Lee Roy<\/strong>. He said he was the nicest, roughest defensive player he ever played against,\u201d Lewis<\/strong> stated.<\/p>\n Lewis<\/strong>, 56, was with the family throughout the weekend until Selmon passed away. Lee Roy\u2019s<\/strong> brother, Dewey<\/strong>, kept the close knit group of friends informed of his condition.<\/p>\n He\u2019s gone now and we\u2019ll miss his flesh, but the Lord did not make a mistake. His work on earth is done and it didn\u2019t take 70 years. He has accomplished so much, received so many accolades \u2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame, Bucs Ring of Honor, highway and restaurants named in his honor and so much more.<\/p>\n \u201cHis spirit will be with us forever. He left a legacy and a blueprint for his family \u2013children, grandchildren, those who knew him and those that knew of him. He was a devoted husband, wonderful father, tremendous friend, super teammate, wonderful to people and most of all he loved Christ.<\/p>\n \u201cI salute Lee Roy Selmon<\/strong> and I thank God for putting him in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs. Marie Tarver White<\/strong> has known Selmon<\/strong> for more than 20+ years. She met him through her uncle, Rev. John Stephens<\/strong>, at his restaurant, Big John\u2019s Alabama Barbecue. She said he has been a tremendous support in the success of the second-go-round of her magazine, On-Que! Christian magazine.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was so encouraging. He\u2019d always tell me to keep on doing it because God would not have His Word to go forward void,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n His Career<\/strong> The brothers established themselves as a forced to be reckoned with at the University of Oklahoma. During his college career, Selmon<\/strong> received numerous honors including being named All-American in 1975, the Vince Lombardi Award, and the Outland Trophy, and Graduate Fellowship Winner National Football Foundation Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n After graduation, Selmon<\/strong> was the first player chosen in the NFL draft in 1976 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wore jersey #63. Selmon\u2019s<\/strong> entire career was as a Buccaneer and he retired 9 years later.<\/p>\n The Bucs also drafted his brother, Dewey<\/strong>, that year.<\/p>\n Selmon<\/strong> was chosen \u201cRookie of the Year\u201d and MVP his first year. He was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl six consecutive years and in 1979, Selmon<\/strong> was named the \u201cNFL Defensive Player of the Year.\u201d Selmon<\/strong> was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Four years later, he was named to the Sports Illustrated NCAA Football All-Century Team. Selmon<\/strong> was also the first player to be inducted into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor in November 2009.<\/p>\n After retirement, Selmon<\/strong> remained in Tampa, where he worked in the banking industry. He became active in several charities and athletic programs. In 1993, he was chosen as the Assistant Athletic Director at the University of South Florida. He was promoted to the position of Athletic Director at the university in 2001. It was under his direction and guidance that the university launched its football program. Health issues forced him to step down in 2004.<\/p>\n Since establishing himself in Tampa, a highway, the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, has been named in his honor and he established a chain of restaurants that bear his name as well.<\/p>\n Memorials For Selmon<\/strong> Anyone wishing to leave tributes are free to place flowers, cards or remembrances on the tree-shaded mound in the middle of the mass transit drop-off turnaround on Dale Mabry.<\/p>\n Signage for the drop off location near the pedestrian footbridge crossing over Dale Mabry will be displayed Tuesday after 5 p.m., September 6, and drop-offs may begin Tuesday after 5 p.m. and continue through game day on Sunday, September 11.[\/private]<\/strong><\/p>\n ***Look for full story in Tuesday’s Sentinel***<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A retired Tampa resident, known as an outstanding athlete and humanitarian, suffered a massive stroke at his home on Friday. He died at St. Joseph\u2019s Hospital on Sunday. He was surrounded by family members at the time of his death. The family of Lee Roy Selmon issued the following statement: \u201cIt is with very heavy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":210,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local-news","pmpro-has-access"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/210"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9665\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flsentinel.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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\nMr. Selmon<\/strong> is survived by his wife, Mrs. Clabra Selmon<\/strong>, children, siblings, other family members and friends.<\/p>\n
\nThe Selmon<\/strong> Family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to further honor Mr. Selmon\u2019s<\/strong> memory can make donations to Abe Brown Ministries (813) 248-3224 or the University of South Florida Foundation Partnership for Athletics (813) 974-2125.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nFormer Tampa Bay Buccaneer Quarterback Doug Williams<\/strong> said, \u201cThere is not a lot to say, his legacy speaks for itself. Whether you are riding on the Lee Roy Selmon Crossway Express or eating at his restaurant, he will always be remembered. He dedicated his life to USF football.<\/p>\n
\nSelmon<\/strong> graduated from Eufaula High School in Eufaula, Oklahoma in 1971, as an honor graduate. He was the youngest of 9 children born to Lucious<\/strong> and Jessie Selmon<\/strong>. He joined his brothers, Lucious<\/strong> and Dewey<\/strong>, on the defensive line at the University of Oklahoma.<\/p>\n
\nHe retired in 1984 after injuring his back. Two years later, the Bucs franchise retired his number.<\/p>\n
\nThree organizations, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, USF Football, and the Tampa Sports Authority, have designated a space at Raymond James Stadium for a temporary memorial for Lee Roy Selmon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n