ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif. — David “Deacon” Jones — the man credited with coining the phrase “sacking the quarterback” — has died of natural causes at the age of 74.
Jones was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. Some people consider him to be the greatest defensive player in NFL history.
His professional career started in 1961, when he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 14th round. He spent his first 11 seasons in Los Angeles, where he teamed with Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy. Fans remember them as “The Fearsome Foursome” — one of the most famous defensive lines in NFL history. Jones, who was nicknamed “The Secretary of Defense,” was selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls with the Rams.
Jones would later be traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1972. He finished his career with the Washington Redskins in 1974.
Late Monday night, the Washington Redskins posted an obituary on their website.
