Posted by Michael David Smith on September 4, 2011, 7:04 PM EDT The Tampa Bay Buccaneers said today that Lee Roy Selmon, perhaps the greatest player in franchise history, has died. “Tampa Bay has lost another giant,” the team said in a statement. “This is an incredibly somber day for Buccaneer fans, Sooner fans, and all football fans. Lee Roy’s standing as the first Buc in the Hall of Fame surely distinguished him, but his stature off the field as the consummate gentleman put him in another stratosphere. Put simply, he was first class. He was the real deal. We are so blessed to have known this fine man and to have called him one of our own, yet so sad to have lost him so soon. Our hearts go out to the Selmon family at this time of their loss.” The 56-year-old Selmon suffered a stroke on Friday. There were conflicting reports about his condition, with his restaurant chain prematurely issuing a statement saying he had died on Friday, then his brother Dewey saying over the weekend that Lee Roy was improving. On Sunday afternoon, the Bucs confirmed that Selmon had died. After an All-American career at Oklahoma, Selmons was the first overall pick of the 1976 NFL draft, and the first pick in Buccaneers franchise history. He led the team from NFL bottom-dwellers to NFC Central champions, and was chosen to six Pro Bowls.
Lee Roy Selmon was one of the best defensive players I've seen play. Lawrence Taylor was the best and Selmon would be in my top 10 of all time great defensive players.
This was a great man. Odd how he was embroiled in the controversial 'NFL' suite against 'Riddell' just this week.... sad TAMPA -- According to family members, Buccaneers' legend and NFL Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon has passed away following a massive stroke. Selmon was 56 years old. The St. Petersburg Times reported on Saturday that Selmon was showing some signs of improvement. Reports on Friday evening indicated Selmon had passed away, but the public relations group that represents his restaurants said the report was sent out erroneously. Selmon's family released this statement Sunday evening: It is with very heavy hearts that the Selmon Family announces the passing of our beloved husband, father and brother, Lee Roy Selmon. Lee Roy passed away today surrounded by family and friends at St. Joseph’s Hospital. For all his accomplishments on and off the field, to us Lee Roy 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. For those wishing to honor Lee Roy’s many contributions, we ask that donations be made to Abe Brown Ministries or the University of South Florida Foundation Partnership for Athletics. We ask now for privacy at this very sad time and will not be making any further statements until funeral arrangements are announced at a later time. Oklahoma City television station KFOR said Selmon's brother, Lucious, told a former teammate that Selmon had suffered a stroke on Friday and was admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital. A beloved figure in the Bay area Selmon began his professional career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976. In his first year, he won the team's Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1979 and went to six straight Pro Bowls. Selmon stayed with the Buccaneers until he was sidelined by a back injury in 1984. His number, 63, was retired in 1986. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2009, he was the first inductee into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor. After his retirement from professional football, Selmon stayed in Tampa. He served as an assistant athletic director at the University of South Florida from 1993 through 2001, when he stepped in to serve as the university's athletic director. He stayed in that position until 2004. Many Buc and Selmon fans sent their condolences to the beloved sports figure throughout the day Saturday. "I now Lee Roy Selmon -- not personally -- but from his career with the Tampa Bay Bucs, and even before that when he played college ball," longtime Buc and Selmon fan David Thompson said, as he ate one of Selmon's restaurants Saturday. "He's just a figurehead here in Tampa and I wish the best for him and his family. I certainly hope that he recovers." The Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway in Hillsborough County is named for him, as is Lee Roy Selmon's restaurants. "Lee Roy Selmon is a community leader who inspires and leads by example,'' said former Tampa mayor Pam Iorio. "He has devoted his life to young people and provides the right example for them. He is universally admired."
Yet another example of an NFL player dying young, which is why I completely support all of the efforts to make the game safer for the players (even if that supposedly makes it "softer"). RIP.
