Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Selma, Alabama, may be best known to the world for its monumental role in the Civil Rights Movement, but its legacy does not stop there. Tucked away in the heart of the Black Belt region, Selma is also a cradle of athletic talent. Despite its modest population and limited resources compared to major metropolitan areas, the city has produced several remarkable athletes who have gone on to play in the National Football League (NFL).

These athletes are not just football players; they are ambassadors of resilience, dedication, and pride, carrying the spirit of their hometown each time they step onto the field. This article celebrates five NFL players with Selma roots.

Michael Johnson: The Gentle Giant with a Relentless Drive

Born in Selma in 1987, Michael Johnson became one of the most fearsome defensive ends in the NFL. At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, Johnson’s physical presence was undeniable. After starring at Dallas County High School and Georgia Tech, where he made a name for himself with explosive speed and tenacity, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Johnson 70th overall in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The Bengals were going through a transitional period, but the best Alabama sports betting sites shortened the team’s Super Bowl odds when Johnson and a raft of other stars joined its roster.

Johnson played for the Bengals between 2009 and 2013 before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for one season in 2014. He returned to the Bengals in 2015 before hanging up his cleats in 2018, having played 155 games, made 398 tackles, 44.5 sacks, 114 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, and four interceptions.

Although his athletic ability speaks for itself, Johnson is more than an athlete. He continues to participate in Selma’s philanthropic efforts, including youth camps, educational initiatives, and family fun days.

Ben Obomanu: The Local Hero Who Shone in Seattle

Ben Obomanu‘s story is a classic tale of a hometown hero turned national talent. Born in Selma in 1983, Obomanu graduated from Selma High School, where he showed early signs of greatness. Auburn University offered him a scholarship, and he played wide receiver for the Tigers between 2002 and 2005.

After finishing his college career with 97 receptions, 1,313 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns, the Seattle Seahawks selected Obomanu as the 249th pick in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Although Obomanu was only part of the Seahawks’ practice squad during his rookie season, he began frequently appearing in 2007. A collarbone injury ruled him out of the 2008 campaign, but he started making a name for himself from 2009 onward.

His best season came in 2010, when he had 494 receiving yards and four touchdowns from 30 receptions. The Seahawks released Obomanu after the 2013 season, and he signed a short-term deal with the New York Jets. He played three games in New York before calling time on his professional career. Obomanu returned to Auburn after his retirement and earned a law degree, proving his talents extend far beyond the football field.

David Beverly: A Precision Punter from the Heart of Alabama

David Beverly made his mark as a punter long before Selma became a regular name in NFL conversations. Born in 1950, Beverly played football for Sweet Water High School. During the final game of his junior season, Beverly sustained a knee injury initially considered career-ending. Although the injury ruled him out of his senior season, Beverly’s grit and determination saw him return to the football field for Auburn University.

Beverly went undrafted in the 1973 NFL Draft before the Houston Oilers signed him in 1974. He then went to the Green Bay Packers, where he gained a reputation for being a precise punter who could place a punt on a dime. By the time Beverly called time on his seven-year NFL career, he’d played 102 games and had 586 punts for 22,344 yards.

Although punters rarely grab the headlines, Beverly’s consistency and professionalism helped shape his team’s field position battles. His NFL career reminds us that every position on the football field has value.

Lachavious Simmons:  A Player Refusing to Give Up on His Dreams

Born in 1996, Lachavious Simmons attended and graduated from Selma High School before playing for Tennessee State University. There, he developed into a formidable offensive lineman who caught the eyes of NFL scouts due to his size and strength.

The Chicago Bears selected Simmons with the 227th pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Simmons played twice for the Bears before joining the Arizona Cardinals and later the Tennessee Titans. The Titans waived him in late August 2024, leading to Simmons signing with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).

Though Simmons’ NFL career has not kicked off as expected, he continues to chase his dream of being a professional football player. His Selma upbringing likely plays a significant role in Simmons’ never-say-die attitude; we wish him the best of luck for the upcoming season.

Cid Edwards: A Football Pioneer

Cleophus “Cid” Johnson could be considered a trailblazer because he was the first Selma native to make a name for himself in the NFL before the competition became today’s juggernaut. Edwards was born in Selma in 1943, played college football at Tennessee State University, and entered the NFL in 1967.

Though Edwards went undrafted in the 1967 draft, he signed with the then-St. Louis Cardinals and stayed with them until 1971. He then spent two seasons with the San Diego Chargers between 1972 and 1974 before ending his playing days with the Chicago Bears in 1975.

His best season was as a Charger in 1972, when he amassed 679 rushing yards, 557 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He played 84 games during his eight-year career, enjoying 3,006 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 1,492 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Sadly, Edwards died in April 2013 in San Diego. He was 69.

Gamble Responsibly. You must be 21 years old or older to gamble. If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.