An iconic figure in the history of pro football and the standard by which defensive ends are measured has passed away. 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.
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). He was selected to 7 consecutive Pro Bowls with the Rams from 1964 to 1970 and made 8 overall. After 11 seasons with the Rams, Jones played for the San Diego Chargers from 1972-73 and then spent the 1974 season with the Washington Redskins.
Having personally coined the term “sack” to originally describe the quarterback sack, Jones played in an era before that statistic was officially kept. Many believe Jones would’ve collected as many as 180.0 sacks, which would place him among the Top 3 in NFL history (Bruce Smith, Reggie White). Jones was the anchor of one of the most famous defensive lines in NFL history – a group called “The Fearsome Foursome.” Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy and Jones formed this feared foursome of pass rushers, a group Vikings fans should appreciate given the place the Purple People Eaters also have in NFL history.
Since 2009, three Vikings have been enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and I have been fortunate to be in Canton for each of those enshrinements. Going to Hall of Fame weekend in Canton is one of my favorite times of the year, for many reasons. One of the reasons is because just being in Canton among the greatest to ever play the greatest sport in world is an experience that is beyond description.
Through those experiences I’ve grown an even greater appreciation for the history of the game, and Deacon Jones is an integral and irreplaceable part of the fabric of that history. He has passed, but his legend will live forever.
