Sooner Great Lee Roy Selmon Passes Away At Age 56
by ccmachine on Sep 4, 2011 6:33 PM CDT
in Oklahoma Sooners Football
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After chasing down rumors and gathering information all weekend, regrettably we can confirm that Sooner great Lee Roy Selmon has passed away. After suffering a stroke on Friday Selmon passed away on Sunday afternoon.
Selmon was a two-time All-American for the Sooners in 1974-75.
Part of probably the most famous set of brothers in OU history, Lee Roy Selmon and his brothers gave Oklahoma one of the greatest defenses in history. Selmon was named a consensus All-American in 1975 and also in 1974 by Newspaper Enterprise Association.
His long list of achievements includes the Vince Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy, National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American and Graduate Fellowship Winner National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.
After one of the greatest careers in college football history, Selmon was the first player taken in the 1976 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1988.
In 1994 he became the first Sooner to be inducted into the GTE/CoSIDA Academic Hall of Fame, and in 1995 he became the first Sooner to be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame. - Selmon's Profile on SoonerSports.com
Family Statement:
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.
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Horrible news
Thoughts and prayers to the Selmon family, last I heard he was responsive and breathing on his own. This just sucks. I feel for his family and friends.
"I feel sorry for peple who don't drink, when they wake up in the morning thats as good as they are gonna feel all day long." Frank Sinatra
So sorry for the Selmon family. Prayers being lifted up.
I truly believe this man was the greatest Sooner to ever play the game. Dominant.
The greatest Sooner ever.
Josh Hamilton: "I just show up, look at the lineup and play where I’m told. If they want me to catch, I’ll catch."
Jon Daniels on relationship with #Rangers Young: "I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." 2/19/11
by boomer1 on Sep 4, 2011 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Condolences From A Husker Fan
I remember an interview Tom Osborne did years ago about Nebraska’s struggles with Oklahoma in his early years as head coach in the 1970’s. He commented that it wasn’t so much the wishbone, but OU’s Selmon brothers-led defenses that were the difference in those games.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos!!
by Section 37 on Sep 4, 2011 10:16 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
thanks
2011 for #12 - You will be missed
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The Selmon brothers were formidable
Very sad to hear about Lee Roy – he was way too young.
"Bye bye love, bye, bye happiness - hello, emptiness, I think I'm gonna cry" aggy war hymn
My dad and his brothers
were all at OU when the Selmons were there, held them in very high regard. Which he reminded me of last night and today.
56 is way to young.
You know he's up in heaven rooting for his Sooners
And this isnt the forum to argue about the existence of heaven, so please dont
by King Sam Rules! on Sep 5, 2011 12:18 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Bobby Burton posted this on Hookem247:
I saw Selmon play in the pros but never college. I asked a former Texas player to describe him once, and this is what he came up with.
“You remember Earl Campbell (in college)? Well, Leroy Selmon was the Earl Campbell of defense during his time.”
Thoughts and prayers
by NeTexHorn on Sep 5, 2011 8:42 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
perfect analogy
Both players were favorites of mine.
Prayers and best wishes for the Selmon family,
Good Speed Leroy
The one thing being a lot older has going for it, most of us older have seen more CFB than most younger people have seen web pages.
So sorry for his family....our prayers and thoughts to them.
A great Sooner legend and by all accounts a great human being. Rest in peace Mr. Selmon.
The way things have gone these past several months, I would say the Sooners have a lot to play for this year.
"Gentlemen we must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin
by leatherneck1061 on Sep 5, 2011 11:47 AM CDT reply actions
I met Lee Roy in his last, my first year at OU, and I marveled at his athletic talents. Many years later I met Lee Roy then the A.D. at USF and I marveled at him as a man. We have all suffered due to the loss of Lee Roy.
by OUHoopitup on Sep 5, 2011 8:06 PM CDT via iPhone app reply actions
My deepest sympathies to the Selmon family.
Godspeed Lee Roy!
You have meant so much to so many.
Your greatness as a Sooner will live on in OU legend. Your greatness as a man will live on in the hearts of your family and friends.
As a Sooner football fan, I have never seen one man dominate on defense from your position, as you did. You left me in awe at your ability and passion for the game. You were truly a champion among champions.
If you train people properly, they won't be able to tell a drill from the real thing. If anything, the real thing will be easier. --Richard Marcinko
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