Lee Roy Selmon Statue

Visit the Lee Roy Selmon Statue on THEA’s Selmon Greenway

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) proudly champions community projects that celebrate local heritage, enhance public spaces, and enrich the beauty of our properties. One of our most meaningful efforts is the Lee Roy Selmon statue along the Selmon Greenway—an enduring tribute to a man whose leadership, humility, and service defined excellence on and off the field.

To honor his legacy, THEA commissioned Oklahoma sculptor Joel Randell—renowned for his bronze sculpture of Perry Harvey Sr. in downtown Tampa—to create an 8-foot, “heroic-scale” statue of Selmon. As a lifelong football fan who admired the Selmon family’s impact at the University of Oklahoma, Randell was uniquely suited to capture Lee Roy’s strength and character.

The statue stands proudly at the corner of Florida Avenue and Brorein Street, along the Selmon Greenway. Cast in 800 pounds of hollowed bronze, it depicts Lee Roy with a firm, confident stance—his left hand forming the USF Bulls gesture and his right resting on his hip in his familiar, easy manner. Dressed in business-casual attire layered with his iconic Tampa Bay Buccaneers #63 jersey, the sculpture reflects the balance of professionalism, athleticism, and kindness that defined him.

Honoring Lee Roy Selmon’s Legacy

Lee Roy Selmon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-ever draft pick in 1976, became one of the most beloved figures in Tampa Bay history. His exceptional football career and lifelong dedication to service cemented his reputation as a community pillar.

THEA proudly bears his name on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, commemorating his positive impact through initiatives such as the Selmon STEM Partnership Program and this lasting tribute along the Greenway.

The decision to name the expressway after Selmon was initiated by THEA and carried forward through a formal process by the Florida Legislature. As with all state road designations, the renaming required legislative approval—a process that included a local recommendation, a bill introduction, and passage by both chambers before being signed into law by the governor. The widespread admiration for Selmon and unanimous community support made this a straightforward and celebrated act of recognition.

Randell’s artistic process begins with oil-based clay, which is carefully sculpted and then cast in bronze at a foundry. The result is a timeless, powerful piece—an emblem of a man who inspired others to live with integrity, purpose, and grace.

Learn more about the artist at www.sculptorjoelrandell.com.