The anticipation was palpable when the University of Oklahoma unveiled the three statues of legendary Sooners defensive linemen Lucious, Dewey and Lee Roy Selmon.
“We are moved by your presence and your commitment and your love,” said Dewey Selmon prior to the unveiling, which took place outside the Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on the OU Norman campus Sept. 24 prior to OU’s game against the Kansas State Wildcats.
Complete with confetti and cheers from Sooner Nation, Dewey and Lucious were there; their third brother—Lee Roy—was there only in spirit; he died in 2011.
Lucious, who was an OU All-American in 1973, recalled growing up in Eufaula, Oklahoma, playing football in the yard and then going to OU and playing for the Sooners.
"To say I’m happy to be here is an understatement,” Lucious said, adding that he hopes the statues will inspire the next generation of athletes. Ending on an inspirational note, Lucious said, “Just be willing to be consistent and give it your best, and who knows what can happen.”
Lee Roy’s son, Lee Roy Jr., was present on the stage with his legendary uncles, whose towering likenesses are cast in 7,000 pounds of bronze.
“They were hard-hitting, powerful defense,” said Lee Roy Jr. “The opposition never knew what hit them, didn’t have a way to prepare for them.”
Cheers erupted as he shared these words.
“This statue here means so much to me. It means so much to my uncles. I’m so proud of them and the accomplishments that they have made, not only on the field—the blood, sweat and tears—but in the classroom as well, and excelled,” Lee Roy Jr. said.
Present at the event were former Oklahoma Sooners coaches Bob Stoops and Barry Switzer, along with Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens and many other Sooner legends.
Switzer, who coached the Selmon brothers in the early-to-mid 1970s, took the lectern, proudly wearing a T-shirt featuring the Selmons in their Sooner football glory, noting how amazing they were: “When they played, we won 54 games, only lost three and tied one.”
Under Switzer, the Selmon brothers made history when all three were named as starters on the Sooner defensive line.
Dewey, speaking about his late brother, who succumbed to the effects of a stroke 11 years ago, said that Lee Roy always made eye contact and was quick with a hug.
He added that if Lee Roy was there today, he would say the statue unveiling “was not about him, it was about you.”
Giving Back
Days later, I spoke with Dewey Selmon, who lives in Norman with his wife, Kathryn. The couple met when he was graduating in 1977 and she was a sophomore journalism major.
The statue unveiling ceremony was “great,” he said. “Just a lot of love from a lot of people.”
Dewey, now approaching the age of 69, often talks of this love and support which he and his family have received over the years from so many. It is only natural for it to be reciprocal—to give back, after having received so much.
“When it comes to giving back, it goes back to our farm days in Eufaula—myself, Lucious and Lee Roy,” Dewey said. “We started playing football there, and the people there, in town, supported us. Coach Paul Bell taught us.
“[We’re] coming into the Thanksgiving season, surrounded by people and their generosity … and people who have a love for God. It’s a reminder that we were three country boys who, through a sport, were given the opportunity to come to Oklahoma University. And a whole new world explodes …”
It’s clear in talking to Dewey Selmon that he is overwhelmed by the love and generosity he and his brothers and family have received since those glory days on the OU football field, so many years ago.
[Andrew Griffith is editorial coordinator for OKC Lifestyle.]