TAMPA (USF) – The University of South Florida (USF) Football team is introducing an important tradition starting with the 2025 season, which honors the legacy of Lee Roy Selmon. Each season, a defensive lineman will be selected to wear Selmon’s notable No. 63 jersey. This honor is intended for a student-athlete who exemplifies Selmon’s values, including integrity, leadership, athletic performance, academic achievement, and commitment to serving others.
This prestigious honor has been awarded to senior defensive tackle Josh Celiscar for the 2025 season. During a post-practice ceremony attended by Lee Roy’s widow, Claybra, and son, Lee Roy Selmon Jr. (a former USF defensive tackle), Celiscar was given the No. 63 jersey following Sunday’s practice.
USF Head Football Coach Alex Golesh remarked, “This tradition is a wonderful way to perpetuate Lee Roy Selmon’s legacy within our program. It’s a special gesture for USF football, and I believe Josh is genuinely enthusiastic and honored by it. Wearing No. 63 will identify someone who has demonstrated integrity, athletic prowess, and academic excellence—the qualities that have come to define Lee Roy Selmon. He was known for valuing service to others and always gave more than he received.”
Previously wearing No. 8, Celiscar joined USF in the spring after transferring from Texas A&M. With 51 games of college experience, Celiscar is anticipated to make a significant impact on the defensive line this season. He arrives with impressive career stats, including 156 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. Beyond his field performance, Celiscar has quickly emerged as a leader and mentor in the Bulls’ locker room.
“I’ve heard about Lee Roy Selmon’s legendary status on the field, and his community contributions are equally impressive,” Celiscar stated. “I aim to honor him by staying authentic, leading others, and embodying his strong work ethic. This is truly an honor, and I am committed to upholding the Selmon name.”
Selmon, a beloved figure in the Tampa Bay community, dedicated 19 years to USF Athletics until his passing in 2011. He was instrumental in establishing the USF football program in 1997 and served as Director of Athletics from 2001 to 2004, playing a vital role in the Bulls’ entry into the Big East Conference. The Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center and the Lee Roy Selmon Mentoring Institute, which helps prepare student-athletes for life beyond sports, are named in his honor, serving as lasting testaments to his significant influence on USF student-athletes, staff, and the Bulls’ sports history.
Selmon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, Academic All-America Hall of Fame and USF Athletic Hall of Fame, reflecting his extraordinary achievements both on and off the field. While at the University of Oklahoma, he was a two-time national champion, consensus All-American, GTE Academic All-American and recipient of both the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Trophy. Selected No. 1 overall in the 1976 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Selmon went on to earn six Pro Bowl selections, was named the 1979 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and helped transform the franchise, leading the team to three playoff appearances from 1979-82. His No. 63 jersey was retired by the franchise in 1986.
Selmon’s lasting impact on the Tampa Bay community is commemorated in part through the naming of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and a statue in downtown Tampa.
