Tampa, FL (WTSP) - On the field Lee Roy Selmon was the foundation of the Bucs defense for 9 years. He recorded 78 and a half sacks, 6 Pro Bowls and is the only Buccaneer in the NFL Hall of Fame.
But he was one of the rarest of athletes who's talent was almost as super human as was his humble demeanor.
When a reporter asked Selmon how it felt to be named defensive player of the year many years ago he said, "It means a lot of recognition for the whole team. I just can't take things personal like that. Football is a team sport.
And in Selmon's case it was no act. He was genuine. He was the real deal.
Without Lee Roy Selmon leading the defense, it's questionable if the Buccaneers would have become the NFL Central Division Champions in 1979.
But Selmon who was an all American at Oklahoma and inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame always focused on the fact that he realized there was life beyond football.
From his "Selmon Brother's Barbecue" sauce to his chain of restaurants, to a being the athletic director at the University of South Florida, Selmon focused on life beyond the football field.
And while it was football that brought him his notoriety, it was his work in the community and always humble soft spoken way that endeared him to everyone he met and led the community to name an expressway after him and the Buccaneers to make him the first person on their Ring of Honor.
Selmon said back then, "That's huge you look around and see that and you are just in awe because no one owes that to you."
However on that day the usually controlled Selmon was over come with emotion. With tears welling up in his eyes he said, "Words can't really express what I'm feeling inside. I'm very emotional about what just happened."
But as usual Selmon tried to deflect the spotlight and put it on his teammates. He said, "They were leaders and I was a follower, they taught me how to play and how to work hard and be the best player I could be."
And on that day when Selmon had every right to focus on his accomplishments, he continued to downplay his importance. "I am so humbled for this - to the Tampa Bay fans - for this Ring of Honor."
And Tampa Bay should be grateful that Lee Roy Selmon made his home here, because while he was a giant on the football field, those of us who knew Lee Roy Selmon found a giant of a man who never said a bitter word about anyone or anything and even if he had never set foot in a stadium or a football field, Lee Roy Selmon would have been a Hall of Famer in the game of life.
Tampa Bay has lost more than a football great, we have lost a treasure and a real life hero.
Mike Deeson, 10 News