Deacon Jones, one of the finest defensive players in the history of football, passed away Monday night at his home in Southern California. The Washington Redskins indicated late Monday that the 74-year-old died of natural causes.
Selected in the 14th round of the 1961 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Jones became an instant star along the Rams defensive line. Voted team Rookie of the Year that season, the Eatonville, Florida native was part of the Fearsome Foursome defensive unit in Los Angeles from 1961-1971 along with superstars Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen. Under head coach George Allen's guidance, the Fearsome Foursome brought the Rams from perennial losers to consistent league contenders during that time and the play of Deacon Jones was a big reason for their success.
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"Deacon Jones was one of the greatest players in NFL history," Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said upon hearing the news of Jones' passing. "Off the field, he was a true giant. His passion and spirit will continue to inspire those who knew him. He was a cherished member of the Allen family and I will always consider him my big brother."
Considered the original sack master for his innate ability to get to any quarterback he went up against throughout his 14-year career in the NFL, Jones was truly one of a kind. While quarterback sacks did not become an official stat until 1982, Rams statistics indicate that Jones had a total of 173 ½ career sacks, but it is believed he recorded more throughout his stellar career.
Spending 11 seasons in Los Angeles, Jones was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1972 where he'd remain for two years before finishing his Hall of Fame career in 1974 with the Washington Redskins. Playing at a high level from beginning to end, Jones was selected to 8 Pro Bowls between 1964 and 1972 along with winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award twice. In addition to those tremendous honors, Deacon Jones was named to 5 First-Team All-Pro squads from 1965 through 1969. Rewarded for his tremendous career, Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
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Consistently knifing his way through the oppositions offensive lines, Jones was a nightmare every time he took the field and always came ready to play, something that added to his already fierce intimidation factor.
"His eyes were as red as fire and after he took his stance, he was pawing his leg in the dirt like a bull," former Dallas Cowboys lineman Rayfield Wright said to Sports Illustrated when remembering the first time he faced Jones. "As an offensive lineman, you're taught only to hear the quarterback's voice. Nothing else. I'm listening in case there's an audible and in the pause between 'Huts!' I hear a deep, heavy voice say, 'Does yo' mama know you're out here?' It was Deacon Jones."
While he had a definite impact on the game during his playing career, Jones still has a positive influence on current players in the NFL, especially those playing along the defensive line. Jones' constant drive, hustle and everyday determination is something that resonates in the league today.
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"The thing we've got to remember being players in this era is to really respect the game back when, because those guys could really play," current St. Louis Rams defensive end said to FOX Sports. Deacon Jones is a perfect example. This whole league and everybody in this game should honor the past and the players who played in that era. Those guys paved the way for us."
A great person off the field as well, Deacon Jones was known for taking trips to meet with American soldiers on active duty in the Middle East, an act that certainly makes him a Hall of Famer off the football field as well.
Rest in peace Mr. Jones.
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