[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 140 (Monday, September 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                             LEE ROY SELMON

 Mr. MACK. Mr. President, my good friend and colleague, the 
senior Senator from Florida, Bob Graham, joins me today on this 
occasion to honor one of the greatest football players of all time, Lee 
Roy Selmon.
  Lee Roy Selmon was born on October 20, 1954 in Eufaula, OK to Lucious 
and Jessie Selmon. He played football at Eufaula High School before 
earning a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma in 1972. He led the 
Sooners to the national championship while earning a number of post-
season individual awards. He was selected to the All Big Eight 
Conference team his junior and senior years. He was also selected a 
Consensus All-American and won both the Outland and Lombardi trophies 
for best collegiate lineman.
  In 1976, he became the first draft pick in the history of the Tampa 
Bay Buccaneers' organization. The Bucs selected Lee Roy not only for 
his outstanding football ability, but also for his extraordinary 
leadership and work ethic.
  Lee Roy played each game with tremendous tenacity, both physically 
and mentally. Despite the fact that he was consistently being double 
and triple teamed throughout his illustrious 10-year career, he still 
registered an amazing 78\1/2\ sacks. His inspirational play was 
instrumental in guiding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their only NFC 
Championship game appearance in 1979. He went on to play in six 
consecutive Pro Bowls, earn three All-Pro selections and win the NFL 
Players Association's NFC Defensive Lineman of the Year Award.
  Lee Roy's rare combination of strength, speed and agility transformed 
the way in which future players would play his position.
  On July 29th of this year, Lee Roy was inducted into the Pro Football 
Hall of Fame. In doing so, he became the first Buccaneer to accomplish 
this feat. Lee Roy on his induction stated, ``It's more than a dream 
come true because I never dreamt it. I'm very humbled by it and very 
thankful for it. I guess sometimes when you don't dream things 
yourself, then other people have bigger dreams for you.''
  Lee Roy's accomplishments are not limited to his play on the 
gridiron. Since his retirement in 1984, he has remained active in local 
community efforts.
  Lee Roy has always approached his off the field endeavors with the 
same tenacity that characterized his play on the field. He was chosen 
one of America's Ten Outstanding Young Men by the United States Jaycees 
and selected Kiwanis Citizen of the Year for Florida's west coast.
  Currently, Lee Roy serves as an associate athletic director at the 
University of South Florida, where he has been the driving force behind 
USF's efforts to field an intercollegiate football team.
  Mr. President, it is an honor for us, as United States Senators from 
the great State of Florida, to recognize a man that is revered by many, 
respected by many more, and well-liked by all. Lee Roy Selmon; a hero 
in every sense of the word.


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