Lee Roy Selmon is one of only 14 players in the history of the National Football League draft to have gone from being the first overall pick of a draft to earning election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1976 - LEE ROY SELMON, DE, OKLAHOMA (TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS)

How the Buccaneers landed the No. 1 pick:

A drawing was held for the NFL’s two expansion teams – the Seahawks and Buccaneers – at the AFC Divisional Playoff Game in Pittsburgh on Dec. 27, 1975. Seattle won the first pick in the veteran allocation expansion draft while Tampa Bay was awarded the first pick in the college draft. The two expansion clubs alternated picks through the remaining rounds.

Scouting Selmon’s college career:

A dominating defensive lineman for the Sooners, Selmon was named unanimous All-America and won both the Outland and Lombardi Trophies in 1975. His quickness and lateral movement gained the most attention from NFL scouts. 

Rookie debut:

Selmon’s started just six games during his rookie campaign as his season was cut short by a knee injury. However, his presence was felt as displayed by the fact that the Bucs racked up 20 sacks in the nine games Selmon played and then mustered only four more after he left the lineup. Selmon recorded the first sack in Bucs’ history when he dropped Houston Oilers QB Dan Pastorini for a nine-yard loss on Sept. 12, 1976.

NFL Career highlights:

Selmon was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1979 after leading his team to its first division crown and playoff berth. He also voted to six Pro Bowls. HOF Bio>>>