Rams to retire No. 75, worn by Deacon Jones
Kathleen Nelson gives us the following update:
Better late than never, the St. Louis Rams will retire No. 75, worn by Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones, who played for the Rams from 1961 to 1971 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980.
For St. Louis Rams fans who are unfamiliar with Jones, here are a few career highlights:
Nicknames surrounded Jones, born in 1938 in Eatonville, Fla. He is credited with coining the term “sack the quarterback” and was nicknamed Secretary of Defense. Through most of the ‘60s, Jones teamed with Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier to make up the defensive line known as the Fearsome Foursome.
Jones accumulated 159.5 sacks with the Los Angeles Rams, 173.5 in his career. After leaving the Rams, Jones played for Chargers and Redskins. Other achievements include:
First defensive lineman to record 100 solo tackles in a single season, 1967.
Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1967 and 1968.
Nine-time Pro Bowler.
Member of the NFL’s all-Decade team in the 1960s.
Member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team in 1994.
No word on when the Rams will hold the retirement ceremony.
Better late than never, but this should have happened YEARS ago. One of THE all time Ram (and all time NFL) greats - failing to recognize him in all this time is a real slap in the face. SHAME ON THIS ORGANIZATION FOR WAITING SO LONG! >:-(
And btw Deacon, CONGRATULATIONS. I wear your throwback jersey with pride - you are truly one of the elite to have ever played this game.
“Thank you Chip for finally doing the right thing. Mr Jones has been deserving of this honor for quite sometime. “Who cares why now or what game. Please make it a joyous celebration for a individual that gave the Rams everything he had on the field as a player while his eyes can see the appreciation. St. Louis Rams fans and LA Rams fans let’s do our part to honor Mr. Jones. Chip bring in all the men of the Fearsome Foursome that are live and able to come to this long over due and well deserving number retiring celebration”.
Congratulation Big # 75! With Yo Bad Self!
” Secretary of Defense Deacon Jones “
— Tclay
3:10 pm June 22nd, 2009
YO, ‘Tclay’, thanks for saving me the time. Your post is on point and thourough. Congrats, Brother Jones!!
GO RAMS!!!
Simply put, the best Ram of all time. Here’s to the Secretary of Defense and the
keeper of the gate at the Hall of Fame.
Way long over due! I can’t believe that the writer had to put in “For St. Louis Rams fans who are unfamiliar with Jones,” My God! Even if you are not a Ram’s fan, you have to know who the Deacon was! Anyway, Congratulations David “Deacon” Jones.
Decon played 10 years…Jackie Slater played 20 all for the RAMS. So who’s more deserving?
As a long time Rams fan, all I can say is this is well deserved.
He’s the man. Glad to see they are going to pay him some respect by retiring his number. Too Cool.
Now the Cards need to retire #51.
Truly an honor well deserved. The 2009 Rams should look that the tapes of the 1969 team That Deacon played on. The offense, defense as well as the coaching staff would benefit. Next up..let’s get #18 Roman Gabriel into the Hall if Fame..!!!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overdue congratulations to current Rams management and “the Deacon”