GOOD NEWS: Oklahoma Sooners and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Unite to Honor Football Icon with Official “Lee Roy Selmon Day”

A Heartfelt Tribute to the Hall of Fame Defensive End Who Redefined Greatness On and Off the Field, Inspiring Generations Through His Dominance, Dignity, and Unshakable Character Across NCAA and NFL History

In a rare and powerful show of unity across college and professional football, the University of Oklahoma and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially announced the establishment of “Lee Roy Selmon Day,” a new annual celebration honoring one of the most beloved and influential figures in the history of the sport.

The announcement comes decades after Selmon’s playing days, yet his legacy continues to shine brightly. On the field, Selmon was a relentless force—an All-American at Oklahoma, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1976 NFL Draft, and the first player ever inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor. Off the field, he was a community leader, philanthropist, university administrator, and role model who used his platform to uplift others and instill values of humility, integrity, and excellence.

“Lee Roy Selmon Day,” set to be celebrated annually on September 30—the date of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame—will include festivities in both Norman, Oklahoma and Tampa, Florida. The day will feature special ceremonies, youth outreach events, commemorative gear, scholarship announcements, and a nationally televised tribute highlighting Selmon’s unparalleled contributions to football and society.

A Legacy Etched in Crimson and Cream

Before he became an NFL icon, Selmon was a cornerstone of one of college football’s most dominant dynasties. At the University of Oklahoma, Selmon helped lead the Sooners to back-to-back national championships in 1974 and 1975 under legendary head coach Barry Switzer. He was the embodiment of the Sooner defensive machine: fast, intelligent, and unyielding.

Selmon was a unanimous All-American and won both the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award in 1975 as the nation’s top lineman. But beyond the accolades, what set Selmon apart was the quiet strength and dignity he brought to every huddle and locker room.

“Lee Roy was the heart of our defense and the soul of our team,” said Switzer, reflecting on the announcement of Selmon Day. “He never raised his voice, but everyone listened. He never asked for attention, but he earned everyone’s respect. He was the greatest Sooner I ever coached.”

The Sooners have long honored Selmon’s memory, with a statue outside Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and his jersey No. 93 retired in tribute. But the creation of a national “Lee Roy Selmon Day” brings his story to a broader audience—especially to a new generation of athletes who may not have witnessed his greatness firsthand.

NFL Greatness, Buccaneer Glory

When the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Selmon as the first pick in franchise history, they got more than just a player—they got a foundation.

Over the course of his nine-year NFL career, Selmon earned six consecutive Pro Bowl selections, one NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, and an enduring reputation as the most dominant defensive end of his era. He helped transform the Buccaneers from a 0-26 laughingstock into a playoff contender that reached the NFC Championship Game by 1979.

Selmon retired in 1984 due to a back injury, but his impact was already permanent. He remains the only Buccaneer inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1995) and the College Football Hall of Fame (1988). In 2009, he became the first player inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor, and his No. 63 jersey remains sacred among fans.

To this day, Tampa Bay’s current generation of players—Super Bowl champions like Lavonte David and Shaq Barrett—cite Selmon as a trailblazer whose values and work ethic shaped the culture of the team.

“Lee Roy Selmon showed us all how to lead—with class, with purpose, and with love for your community,” said Bucs co-owner Bryan Glazer. “We are proud to honor his legacy in a way that reflects everything he stood for.”

A Gentle Giant in the Community

Selmon’s post-football life was arguably even more impactful than his gridiron achievements. Rather than disappearing into retirement, Selmon doubled down on service, giving back in ways that elevated not just sports programs, but entire communities.

In Tampa, he worked with charitable foundations, served on the board of several nonprofits, and helped launch initiatives supporting youth education, hunger relief, and economic opportunity. He also played a pivotal role in the creation of the University of South Florida’s football program, eventually serving as USF’s athletic director from 2001 to 2004.

Selmon’s commitment to youth development earned him national recognition, including the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award and the National Football Foundation’s Distinguished American Award. In 1996, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission named him “Tampa’s Most Influential Sports Figure of the Century.”

“Lee Roy was the kind of man who would shake your hand, ask about your family, and actually remember your name years later,” said former USF president Judy Genshaft. “He made you feel seen, heard, and respected. That was his true gift.”

Perhaps the most iconic symbol of his post-football legacy is Lee Roy Selmon’s, a chain of restaurants he co-founded in Tampa. While known for its southern comfort food and sports memorabilia, the restaurant also served as a fundraising hub for Selmon’s philanthropic projects—always with his signature warmth and humility.

A Day of Remembrance, Education, and Inspiration

The newly created “Lee Roy Selmon Day” aims to do more than celebrate a football player—it seeks to educate young people on what it truly means to be a leader.

Both the University of Oklahoma and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have confirmed that the day will include:

• A joint ceremony held simultaneously at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and Raymond James Stadium
• Special educational programming across Oklahoma and Florida schools, featuring documentaries and classroom activities highlighting Selmon’s life
• The Lee Roy Selmon Youth Character Award, given annually to high school athletes in Oklahoma and Florida who demonstrate leadership, academic excellence, and community service
• A commemorative scholarship fund, jointly funded by OU Athletics and the Buccaneers Foundation, to benefit underprivileged student-athletes pursuing higher education

ESPN and NFL Network plan to run special segments leading up to the inaugural Lee Roy Selmon Day, including never-before-seen interviews with former teammates, family members, and civic leaders whose lives Selmon impacted.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered a statement of support for the initiative, calling Selmon “a gold standard for what professional athletes should aspire to become.”

“Lee Roy Selmon exemplified everything the NFL values—toughness, teamwork, and above all, integrity,” said Goodell. “He made the game better, and he made our communities stronger.”

The Selmon Brothers: A Family of Giants

No tribute to Lee Roy Selmon would be complete without mentioning his equally legendary family.

The youngest of nine children born to Lucious and Jessie Selmon in Eufaula, Oklahoma, Lee Roy was part of a triumvirate of brothers who made history at Oklahoma. Along with Lucious and Dewey Selmon, he helped create one of the most feared defensive lines in college football history. All three brothers went on to play in the NFL.

Though Lee Roy was the most decorated of the trio, he never accepted praise without crediting his siblings and family.

“Our parents taught us to put faith, family, and hard work first,” Selmon once said. “That’s the playbook I followed my whole life.”

The Selmon family’s story—emerging from the rural fields of Oklahoma to become national champions, NFL stars, and community leaders—resonates deeply with fans and citizens across the country. And in that story lies perhaps the truest legacy of Lee Roy Selmon: not just what he did, but who he was.

More Than a Football Hero

Lee Roy Selmon passed away in 2011 at the age of 56 following a stroke, but his spirit has only grown stronger in the years since. The establishment of Lee Roy Selmon Day ensures that his story—his values, his leadership, and his love for people—will continue to be told, year after year.

In a time when sports often spotlight controversy, Selmon’s example is a breath of fresh air: a reminder that excellence and humility can coexist; that strength and kindness are not opposites, but allies.

As the first Lee Roy Selmon Day approaches this fall, the message is clear:

You can dominate the game without losing your soul.

You can inspire others without seeking applause.

You can be remembered not just for what you achieved, but for how you lived.

And that—above all—is why Lee Roy Selmon remains one of the greatest to ever wear a helmet, both in Norman and in Tampa.