One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 21, 2021

Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images) /

30 of 32

TAMPA BAY, FL – NOVEMBER 9: Sidney Thornton #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers gets tackled by Lee Roy Selmon #63 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL game November 9, 1980 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. Thornton played for the Steeler from 1977-82. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lee Roy Selmon, Defensive End

The 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers really don’t need to bring back anyone. This team is loaded on both sides of the ball and just won the Super Bowl in front of their home crowd. They also returned all 22 starters so both sides of the ball are in good hands.

That doesn’t mean we won’t bring back a legend from the past, but it just means it can be a luxury pick rather than need-based — kind of like drafting for the best player available. With that being said we end up taking Lee Roy Selmon as the returning star.

Selmon was the No. 1 pick in 1976 which also happened to be the first-year Tampa Bay was an NFL team. He ended up being stuck on some bad teams but Selmon lived up to his status as the first player they took to build their team around.

He played for nine seasons and while sacks weren’t an official stat until he was near the end of his career, he did get credited with 11 at the age of 29 when the league was still playing just 14 games. He added eight in his final season at the age of 30. He retired after that due to a back injury but still did enough to make the Hall of Fame and get his No. 63 retired in Tampa Bay.

The 1979 NFL Defensive Player of the Year even has an expressway named after him which shows the impact he had on the team and community.

Oh, and while we’re at it, they need to bring back that creamsicle jersey as well. Such a thing of beauty.

Home/NFL