Four Sooner Legends Honored by FWAA

NORMAN — In celebration of its 75th year of existence, the Football Writers Association of America announced its 75th Anniversary All-America Team, celebrating the association's All-America teams from college football's modern era.

Oklahoma's rich tradition and history are evidenced by four former players represented on the list. That total is tied with Alabama for the fourth most of any program. Nebraska led all schools with six selections.

The association compiled three teams of 25 players each, made up of historic FWAA All-Americans. The 75 selections represent the best college football players since 1944. Representing OU on the first team are tight end Keith Jackson and defensive tackle Lee Roy Selmon.

Jackson played at Oklahoma from 1984 to 1987, helping the Sooners to a 42-5-1 record during his career. He was a two-time All-American and helped OU claim the 1985 national championship with a two-touchdown performance in its 25-10 Orange Bowl win over Penn State. Included was a 71-yard catch and run from quarterback Jamelle Holieway that put the Sooners up for good. Jackson totaled 62 catches for 1,407 yards as a Sooner and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2001.

Jackson went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. During his nine-year NFL career he made six Pro Bowls and was part of the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI.

Selmon anchored some of the best defenses in Sooner history, playing from 1972 to 1975. A two-time consensus All-American, Selmon won the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy in 1975 and led OU to back-to-back national titles in '74 and '75. Former Sooner head coach Barry Switzer famously called Selmon the best player he ever coached and College Football News ranked him as the 39th best college football player of all time.

Selmon was the No. 1 overall draft selection in 1976, going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played in six consecutive Pro Bowls and in 1979 was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Selmon was the first player inducted into the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor and his number 63 was retired in 1986.

Representing Oklahoma on the FWAA's second team is former linebacker Brian Bosworth. A two-time consensus All-American, Bosworth is the only repeat winner of the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. He owns the school record for most tackles in a game with 22, and led Oklahoma to three consecutive Big Eight titles and three consecutive Orange Bowl appearances during his career. Sports Illustrated named Bosworth to its NCAA Football All-Century Team as one of only nine linebackers on the squad. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 1987, but played only two seasons due to injuries.

The most recent Sooner on the list, safety Roy Williams, is a third-team member. Williams played three season for head coach Bob Stoops and was an integral part of the 2000 national championship team. In 2001, his junior year, Williams won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defensive player and also claimed the Jim Thorpe Award as college football's best defensive back. He was the 2001 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous First Team All-American.

Most famous for his iconic "Superman" play against Texas in 2001, Williams was selected eighth overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons in the NFL, making five consecutive Pro Bowls (2003 to 2007).

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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