Former NFL Defensive End David "Deacon" Jones, famous for coining the term "sack," has died at the age of 74.

Jones played his final season with the Washington Redskins in 1974.  He was a fourteenth round draft pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 1961 after attending Mississippi Vocational (now Mississippi Valley State).

During his ten years with the Rams Jones was known as the leader of the "Fearsome Foursome," playing alongside, Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy, and Merlin Olsen. He played with San Diego for a couple of seasons before going to the Redskins.

He recorded more than 170 sacks and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.  A statement on the National Football League's website, says that Jones is considered by some to be "the greatest defensive player in NFL history."

Records of "sacks" were not kept by the NFL until 1982.  Jones, elected by Rams fans as "Secretary of Defense," coined he term "sack" to describe how he took down quarterbacks.

 

 

 

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