hooknladder Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 06.22.2009 1:01 pm Rams to retire No. 75, worn by Deacon Jones By Reid Laymance Email this Share this Print this Digg Yahoo! Del.icio.us Facebook Reddit Drudge Google Fark Stumble It! Kathleen Nelson gives us the following update: Better late than never, the St. Louis Rams will retire No. 75, worn by Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones, who played for the Rams from 1961 to 1971 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980. For St. Louis Rams fans who are unfamiliar with Jones, here are a few career highlights: Nicknames surrounded Jones, born in 1938 in Eatonville, Fla. He is credited with coining the term “sack the quarterback” and was nicknamed Secretary of Defense. Through most of the ‘60s, Jones teamed with Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier to make up the defensive line known as the Fearsome Foursome. Jones accumulated 159.5 sacks with the Los Angeles Rams, 173.5 in his career. After leaving the Rams, Jones played for Chargers and Redskins. Other achievements include: First defensive lineman to record 100 solo tackles in a single season, 1967. Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1967 and 1968. Nine-time Pro Bowler. Member of the NFL’s all-Decade team in the 1960s. Member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team in 1994. No word on when the Rams will hold the retirement ceremony. Tags: 75, Deacon Jones, jersey, st. louis rams It is a travesty that Deacon Jones went this long without having his number retired. The Rams organization should be embarrassed that it took this long. One of the greatest players in the history of the game, very possibly the best player in Rams history. What an embarrassment that it took this long. — Kevin 1:30 pm June 22nd, 2009 This is well deserved recognition of Deacon, but one wonders if the Rams are doing this because they feel it was deserved, or if they’re just trying to boost ticket sales? Or maybe both. Maybe they wanted to do this 10 years ago, but figured they’d wait until it could benefit the organization a more. I’m betting the Rams will be holding the retirement ceremony prior to a home game this season, and they’ll likely pick one of the games that has low projected ticket sales. — b 1:31 pm June 22nd, 2009 About time… b - That is just smart business, why would you pick a guarantee sellout. When the revenue could come from a lesser revenue game. — John 2:06 pm June 22nd, 2009 Nine-time Pro Bowler. Did this guy ever beat Dick Weber? — Huh? 2:34 pm June 22nd, 2009 long over due got paid very little for what he did did not conplaine — TERRY 2:45 pm June 22nd, 2009 Way over due! — marv 3:01 pm June 22nd, 2009 Thank you Chip for finally doing the right thing. Mr Jones has been deserving of this honor for quite sometime. Who cares why now or what game. Please make it a joyous celebration for a individual that gave the Rams everything he had on the field as a player while his eyes can see the appreciation. St. Louis Rams fans and LA Rams fans let’s do our part to honor Mr. Jones. Chip bring in all the men of the Fearsome Foursome that are live and able to come to this long over due and well deserving number retiring celebration. Congratulation Big # 75! With Yo Bad Self! ” Secretary of Defense Deacon Jones “ — Tclay 3:10 pm June 22nd, 2009 This is a “Hall of Fame” move. — Hosea 3:26 pm June 22nd, 2009 Nice to hear it ‘Deaconator”, about time, Congrats! — EvaluatorMan 4:02 pm June 22nd, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tford Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 I remember hearing how Deacon believed that if sacks were an official stat when he was a player, he'd still have the record for most sacks in a single season. And after watching some of the games he was involved in, I'm inclined to believe that he may just be right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen were my favorite players when I was a youngster. Part of the fearsome foursome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted June 28, 2009 Share Posted June 28, 2009 Best pass rusher ever. About time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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