Leroy Selmon was a hero on and off the football field
Although this column is not about football per se, it will always have components of what is going on in the world in it, especially when it concerns something near to my heart. I love football. I am as passionate about the game as most men are and used to watch every game I could. That all changed with the arrest or Michael Vick and the subsequent milquetoast attitude of the NFL, Nike and many of his fans.
Leroy Selmon, on the other hand, was one of my heroes and his death brought a sadness to my heart. There are not many men like Leroy Selmon. Or should I say, there are not many professional football players like Leroy Selmon. He grew up in the poorest of conditions; one o 9 children whose parents were sharecroppers in Oklahoma. According to his brother, he always loved games but also loved animals and had a dog named Rip. He went on to discover football, became an academic All-American, won numerous awards in college and pro ball. He brought a gentleman's spirit to the game which you seldom see. He also gave back. He played football for the same team his whole career, albeit the worst in the league. He helped develop the football program at USF and became their athletic director. He was always available for kind words of wisdom, to help raise money or many of the causes he supported in Tampa. He made the area a little better for his presence.
We should honor Selmon as a man and a hero. Michael Vick on the other hand should be placed on a back burner somewhere and only brought out when you want to make an example of what a man should not be. Too bad many will use Vick as a role model instead a true one like Leroy Selmon.
Leroy Selmon, on the other hand, was one of my heroes and his death brought a sadness to my heart. There are not many men like Leroy Selmon. Or should I say, there are not many professional football players like Leroy Selmon. He grew up in the poorest of conditions; one o 9 children whose parents were sharecroppers in Oklahoma. According to his brother, he always loved games but also loved animals and had a dog named Rip. He went on to discover football, became an academic All-American, won numerous awards in college and pro ball. He brought a gentleman's spirit to the game which you seldom see. He also gave back. He played football for the same team his whole career, albeit the worst in the league. He helped develop the football program at USF and became their athletic director. He was always available for kind words of wisdom, to help raise money or many of the causes he supported in Tampa. He made the area a little better for his presence.
We should honor Selmon as a man and a hero. Michael Vick on the other hand should be placed on a back burner somewhere and only brought out when you want to make an example of what a man should not be. Too bad many will use Vick as a role model instead a true one like Leroy Selmon.
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