Former St. Louis Rams DE David "Deacon" Jones passed away last night. He died of natural causes at his home in Southern California. He was 74.
Known for his ability to knock down an opposing quarterback, Jones will be remembered as one of the greatest football players to hit the field. Since sacks didn't become an official statistic until 1982, no one knows for sure how many sacks Jones recorded during his time in the NFL, but that does not discount the passion he showed on the field, nor his ability to make a play. Washington Redskins General Manager, Bruce Allen, whose father coached Jones with the Los Angeles Rams, had this to say about the former defensive end:
"Deacon Jones was one of the greatest players in NFL history. Off the field, he was a true giant," he said. "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." (ESPN.com)
Jones was the leader of the Rams' Fearsome from 1961-1971. After that, he played two years with the San Diego Chargers before retiring as a Washington Redskin in 1974.
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