Lee Roy Selmon Statue – Meet the Artist

Lee Roy Selmon Statue – Meet the Artist

We feel strongly in supporting and spearheading community initiatives throughout our region that activate spaces and enhance the beauty of our properties. We have commissioned artwork and murals, worked with neighborhood associations on underpass beautification projects, provided gateways, created an urban green spine in Downtown Tampa with pocket parks, and lit our bridges with vibrant colors for a dramatic illuminated display.

In our latest community initiative, we commissioned Joel Randell to create a sculpture of Lee Roy Selmon for the Selmon Greenway. We chose to name our property, the Selmon Expressway, after Lee Roy Selmon and are deeply honored to be able to pay tribute to a man who was so deeply admired and respected in our community. When we saw Randell’s bronze sculpture of Perry Harvey Sr. at the Perry Harvey Park, Sr. in downtown Tampa, we knew Randell would be the right artist to capture the essence of this great man. Being from Oklahoma, Randell had been a football fan of Lee Roy Selmon and was well aware of the family legacy at the University of Oklahoma. Selmon is regarded as one of the University’s all-time football greats.

With input from Mrs. Selmon, we worked with the artist to design a statue that would reflect a man who was so much more than just a football legend. He was a family man, a businessman, a leader, and a mentor at the University of South Florida, and a friend to all.

The statue’s permanent home is along the Selmon Greenway on the corner of Florida Avenue and Brorein Avenue. It stands 8 feet tall and is built of a “heroic scale” to commemorate a man who was larger than life. As represented in the statue, Lee Roy has a firm, bold stance and strong stature with a kind expression on his face. His left-hand makes the USF Bulls gesture while his right-hand rests on his hip in a characteristic stance. His business-casual outfit reflects the different aspects of his life, and he wears his #63 jersey from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Randell sculpts oil-based clay into a pre-designed model that is taken to the foundry for casting. The statue is 800 pounds of hollowed bronze and a powerful tribute to a man that was loved, respected, and touched so many lives. He was a true inspiration in what it means to live a good life.

More about the artist: https://www.sculptorjoelrandell.com/