By LINDA MCEWEN

Just a few words about the much too-early death of our dear Lee Roy Selmon. So unexpected it was, we have all been taken by surprise and dismay, and great sadness. I remember all of the wonderful years of knowing Selmon and his family, the many pleasant times with him. He visited Tom often in the hospital when he had to go there, always thinking of others in his wonderful, selfless way. A gentle giant among us all, always patient, always kind and available for all activities that would help the Tampa community and sports.

I ran across Tom’s words about his role in helping Lee Roy into the Hall of Fame in Canton:

“It is among the most honored positions I have enjoyed as a sportswriter, sitting on the selection committee. It is one I take seriously and weigh carefully. The Hall of Fame Committee has asked I continue to serve indefinitely and I will do that and hope and I so badly want to be around for the opportunity to present more Buccaneers for consideration, as I did the incomparable and grateful Lee Roy Selmon. The Bucs certainly have candidates on the way—such as Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, and hopefully others—but candidacy cannot begin until five years after leaving the game.

For the moment, I can savor the special support others who have been honored, such as Hank Stram who got his greatest football ring Saturday and will wear his ring well.”

Tom also was on the committee to support Hank for the Hall, and he thanked everyone for he and his family and for his five players also in the Hall of Fame.

In Tom’s last book, he had wanted to help Lee Roy continue to make good appearances and to speak well and humorously. So in an introduction from Lee Roy for Tom at a sports banquet, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon introduced Tom this way, always good for anybody:

“What most people don’t know is that my friend here, Tom McEwen, when he was growing up in Wauchula, he was arrested for statutory rape. But, he was acquitted. He didn’t hurt that statue a bit.”

Tom had an especially huge laugh on that one, what a student!