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RIP Deacon Jones


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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000208873/article/deacon-jones-fearsome-master-of-the-qb-sack-dies-at-74

 

 

David "Deacon" Jones, the Hall of Fame defensive end whom some consider the greatest defensive player in NFL history, has died at the age of 74.

 

The Washington Redskins, for whom Jones played his final NFl season in 1974, posted an obituary on their website after announcing the news. Natural causes was given as the cause of death.

 

Jones' NFL career started in 1961, when he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 14th round (186th overall) out of Mississippi Vocational (now known as Mississippi Valley State). Jones spent his first 11 seasons in Los Angeles, where he teamed with Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Landry to form "The Fearsome Foursome" -- one of the most famous defensive lines in NFL history.

 

Jones was selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls with the Rams from 1964 to 1970 and made eight overall.

 

Few would disagree with former Rams coach George Allen, who labeled Jones as the "greatest defensive end of modern football." Jones, also a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was nicknamed "Secretary of Defense" by Rams fans. Jones later was named "defensive end of the Century" by Sports Illustrated in 1999.

 

Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

 

Jones -- who proved to be one of the more durable players in NFL history, missing just five games during his decorated 14-year career -- was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1972 and had immediate success, receiving defensive captain honors and a Pro Bowl selection. Jones finished his career in 1974 with the Washington Redskins.

 

In addition to his accomplishments on the field, the outspoken Jones is credited with coining the phrase "sacking the quarterback."

 

Sacks weren't kept as an official NFL statistic until 1982. Had they been kept far earlier, few doubt Jones would be the NFL's all-time leader. According to the Rams' media guide, Jones recorded a team-best 159.5 sacks with the franchise and 173.5 in his career. He recorded double-digit sacks seven times with the Rams and became the first defensive lineman to post 100 solo tackles in a season (1967).

J

ones achieved success in the corporate world in the decades following his retirement, but the football accolades continued piling on. He was named to the NFL's 75th anniversary team in 1994 and voted the 15th greatest player in league history in a 2010 NFL Network special.

 

Jones made several trips to visit troops in Iraq and was active in the community. He particularly enjoyed working with youngsters and youth organizations. His passion for helping shape young minds led him to start the Deacon Jones Foundation in 1997. He served as the foundation's president and CEO.

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Wow 74.So many of those I watched growing up are passing on, some very young.

 

Rosie Greer's the only Fearsome Foursome one left now and he's 80.

Edited by Randall
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