Thom Gossom Jr., the first African American athlete to graduate from Auburn University, will be in Selma next month to speak at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.

Gossom will take part in the Lunch at the Library series on Feb. 9 and will discuss his newest book series, the “Slice of Life” collection, and will also talk about his athletic and acting career.

“It’s an inspirational message of overcoming odds and the value of having a dream and making it come true,” Gossom said.

Gossom was the first football walk-on at Auburn, and he became a three-year starter at split end. He played in the 1972 Iron Bowl, one of the most famous games in the rivalry’s history. It’s now called “Punt Bama Punt.”

“Football was never the priority in terms of my education. My focus had to be on education. If I did that and did well, then yeah you could go on and play football,” Gossom said. “Then deciding I wanted to go play on this level, nobody from my community had ever done that. To go down there, I just felt like I could play. I got out there and I was fast. They say you can’t coach speed.”

Gossom graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Auburn and he later earned a master’s in communications from the University of Montevallo. His acting career has included roles in “Fight Club” and “Jeepers Creepers 2.”

One of the accomplishments he’s most proud of is his role in a NYPD Blue episode named “Lost Israel.” Gossom played the lead character, named “Israel,” and the episode went on to win an Emmy.

“Israel was a mute. He was a guy who was homeless and he was accused of murdering a little boy and he didn’t do it but he didn’t talk, so it was very difficult for him to explain himself,” Gossom said.

“I worked a long time on that part and it turned out so well. The show won an Emmy for those episodes and that created a reputation for me in Los Angeles. I got a lot of work after that.”

Gossom’s newest book series is made up of “A Slice of Life,” “Another Slice of Life” and the “Rest of the Pie.” It’s a collection of short stories.  Lunch at the Library tickets are on sale now for $8. To reserve a spot, call the Selma-Dallas County Public Library at (334) 874-1725.