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| Deacon Jones | |
|---|---|
| Name | Deacon Jones |
| Birth name | David D. Jones |
| Birth date | 9 December 1938 |
| Birth place | Decatur, Georgia |
| Death date | 3 June 2013 |
| Death place | Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Professional American football player, actor, sports commentator |
| Position | Defensive end |
| College | Missouri State (Missouri State Bears) |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in |
| Weight | 272 lb |
Deacon Jones
David D. "Deacon" Jones was an American professional football player widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive ends in National Football League history. A four-time Hall of Fame inductee candidate and trendsetter, he starred for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins during a career that spanned the 1960s and early 1970s. Jones helped popularize the modern pass rush and left a lasting influence on players, coaches, and franchises across American sports.
Born in Decatur, Georgia, Jones moved with his family to St. Louis, Missouri as a child, where he attended McKinley Heights High School before enrolling at Arkansas State University and later transferring to Missouri State University (then Southwest Missouri State University). At Missouri State he played for the Bears football program and competed in track and field events, displaying the athleticism that attracted National Football League scouts. His college performance placed him on the radar of franchises such as the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers during the AFL–NFL era.
Jones was selected in the NFL Draft and launched a professional career with the Los Angeles Rams in 1961, joining teammates like Merlin Olsen, Roman Gabriel, and Lamar Lundy to form the Rams' famed defensive front. During his tenure with the Rams the franchise moved between Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and other venues while competing in the NFC against rivals including the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears. After several dominant seasons he played for the San Diego Chargers and finished his career with the Washington Redskins, facing quarterbacks such as Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, and Joe Namath. Jones earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors while helping reshape defensive strategy across the National Football League.
Known for a combination of size, speed, and technique, Jones redefined the role of the defensive end with moves and concepts that influenced later stars like Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, and Bruce Smith. He popularized a pass-rushing maneuver he dubbed the "head slap," which unnerved offensive linemen and contributed to multiple sacks against teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Jones emphasized leverage, hand placement, and film study in an era when coaches like George Allen, Chuck Knox, and Vince Lombardi were shaping modern schemes. Coaches and analysts from institutions like Pro Football Hall of Fame committees to media outlets contrasted his style with contemporary techniques used by players at venues such as Rose Bowl and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Across his career Jones was credited by sports statisticians and historians for unofficial sack totals that placed him among the leaders of his generation, contemporaneous with names like Alan Page, Jack Youngblood, and Merlin Olsen. He received election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named to various All-Decade Team rosters and anniversary squads. Jones's impact was recognized by honors from organizations including the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America, and he was featured in anniversary celebrations staged by franchises like the Los Angeles Rams and institutions such as the College Football Hall of Fame selection committees. Statisticians later retroactively tallied his sacks, reinforcing his status alongside all-time leaders like Michael Strahan and J. J. Watt.
After retirement Jones pursued acting and broadcasting, appearing in films and television programs alongside personalities from Hollywood, participating in documentaries about the National Football League, and providing analysis for networks and radio outlets that covered teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins. He made guest appearances with athletes from other sports, collaborating with figures associated with Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and NASCAR events. Jones also worked with charitable organizations and alumni associations connected to Missouri State University and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, contributing to outreach programs and alumni events.
Jones maintained ties to communities in Los Angeles, California, St. Louis, Missouri, and Decatur, Georgia, and his legacy influenced generations of defensive players coached by staff from franchises including the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. He mentored younger athletes and was cited by sportswriters from outlets such as the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN for his contributions to the evolution of pass rushing. Posthumous tributes came from former teammates, coaches, and institutions like the Pro Football Hall of Fame and various franchise halls, ensuring his place in histories of the National Football League and American sports culture.
Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Category:Los Angeles Rams players Category:San Diego Chargers players Category:Washington Redskins players Category:1938 births Category:2013 deaths