logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Sooner/Ironhead legend: Dewey Selmon’s journey from Eufaula to the NFL
B:, Sports
September 25, 2025
Sooner/Ironhead legend: Dewey Selmon’s journey from Eufaula to the NFL
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

Before he became a force at the University of Oklahoma and in the NFL, Dewey Selmon built his foundation on the gridiron in Eufaula. The middle brother between Lucious and Leroy, Dewey anchored the Ironheads’ defensive line at left tackle while Leroy manned the right side, forming a wall few opponents could break.

“He was a great teammate. He helped me tremendously as a player,” recalled Eufaula and Sooner great Rusty Griffis. “I was only 160 pounds at defensive end, so I knew opponents would come after me. But Dewey—he was so smart, so dependable. Not just Dewey, but all the Selmons were hardworking, high-character people who always did the right thing. I was blessed to play with them.”

A star at Eufaula and OU

Selmon dominated high school football, earning All-State honors before being recruited by Barry Switzer at OU. From the start, he was a difference-maker. Dewey helped power the Sooners to backto- back national championships in 1974 and 1975, alongside Consensus All-American teammates. The Sooners lost just two games in three seasons from 1973–75.

“Dewey was a fantastic athlete, the most aggressive of the brothers,” said legendary Eufaula coach Paul Bell in a previous interview. “He was quick off the line, very intelligent, and all of them were straight-A students. They were in great condition yearround and played football, track, and basketball. When Dewey and Leroy got to college, they beat the first string in drills as freshmen. Coach Switzer couldn’t have been happier.”

The Sooners were 54-3-1 while the Selmon brothers were at OU. The University of Oklahoma dedicated a statue honoring three of its greatest defensive football players in program history — brothers Lucious, Dewey and Lee Roy Selmon. It’s the only statue of defensive players on campus.

Professional dominance

In 1976, the new NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the Selmon brothers their foundation by picking Lee Roy at No.1 overall and Dewey their second- round pick, 60th overall. From there, he became a pillar of their defense. Selmon’s professional toughness was unmatched, missing just four games in four seasons with the Bucs. Dewey’s dominance earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 1979 before finishing his career with the San Diego Chargers in 1982.

“I always thought Dewey would be a great coach,” Bell added. “He was outgoing, gave powerful speeches, and made sure everyone knew he was from Eufaula.”

Lessons beyond football

For Selmon, the success wasn’t just about tackles or championships. It was about values.

“We were blessed to have been coached by Paul Bell and Barry Switzer. They taught us to strive to be the best and to play as a team,” Selmon said. “My advice to student-athletes is simple: build a total body of work. Focus on three things—your mindset and spirit, your classroom effort, and your physical ability. If you work hard in all areas, especially your spirit, you can’t be denied. Work ethic determines everything.”

Dewey Selmon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

From the rich dirt of Eufaula to the brightest stages in college and pro football, Dewey Selmon’s legacy continues to inspire—an Ironhead who carried the pride of his hometown everywhere he went.

SYATP After Gathering stirred a fire in local youth
A: Main, News...
SYATP After Gathering stirred a fire in local youth
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
October 2, 2025
What can happen when one soul catches on fire and passes that fire along to another? A whole school can catch on fire for Jesus and spread for decades from generation to generation. That’s how See You...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Annual BBQ Banquet
October 2, 2025
Freedom House Adult and Teen Challenge will host their 5th Annual Barbecue Banquet and Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 4. The community is invited to purchase tickets and come enjoy an evening o...
this is a test
Couple get deferred sentences in animal cruelty case
A: Main, News...
Couple get deferred sentences in animal cruelty case
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
October 2, 2025
A husband and wife who were charged last year with animal cruelty pled guilty Friday, Sept. 26 and each were given five-year deferred sentences. Morgan Alayne Bateman, 39, lists her home as Checotah, ...
this is a test
Man makes Alford plea in lewd act case
A: Main, News...
Man makes Alford plea in lewd act case
October 2, 2025
Randy Dwayne Stegall, 64, of Checotah has entered an Alford plea to performing a lewd act in front of a woman and her two children. An Alford plea registers a formal admission of guilt to charges in c...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Big Breakfast Fundraiser this Saturday
October 2, 2025
For a $10 donation enjoy Farm Fresh Eggs, Blue & Gold Sausage, Pancakes, Homemade from scratch Biscuits & Gravy, Orange Juice & Coffee At the Checotah Masonic Lodge #86 at 625 W. Gentry, Checotah All ...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 2, 2025
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is offering free coffee and donuts during two Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in October. On Friday, October 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Nichols Market, 200 S. 2...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Invasion by armyworms an annual lawn problem
A: Main, News...
Invasion by armyworms an annual lawn problem
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
October 2, 2025
About this time every year wide swaths of territories in Oklahoma are attacked by an infestation of armyworms – also known as cutworms. Technically, they are classified under the genus Spodoptera and ...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Walters resigns to fight unions
By KAYLA BRANCH THE FRONTIER 
October 2, 2025
State Superintendent Ryan Walters said nothing about his pending resignation during what was expected to be his last Board of Education meeting, one day after he announced on FOX News that he planned ...
this is a test
Martin again sentenced to life for murder
News
Martin again sentenced to life for murder
By Martin 
October 2, 2025
MUSKOGEE – For the second time, on Wednesday, July 17, David Deval Martin, 40, of McIntosh County was sentenced to life in prison for the vicious 2013 murder of a Checotah woman. In 2016, Martin, whos...
this is a test
News
Walters to head teachers’ anti-union
October 2, 2025
Dallas — Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has been named incoming Chief Executive Officer of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a new national organization founded by the Freedom Foundation that ...
this is a test
Davis named Sister of the Year
News
Davis named Sister of the Year
October 2, 2025
Members of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority recently named Shirley Davis 2025 Sister of the Year. A 47-year member, Shirley actively promotes all activities and has opened her home frequently for meetings thro...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy