“Deacon coined the term ‘sack’. He made the position glamorous, which was hard to do. Quarterbacks are glamorous –- not defensive linemen… until Deacon Jones came along.”
Michael Strahan

The world of professional football lost a very special player this week as Hall of Famer Deacon Jones passed away at the age of 74. Known for his aggressive mental toughness and trailblazing techniques as a defensive end, Jones posed a formidable fear for opposing quarterbacks during his career.

His football mind and mental preparation allowed him to dominate offensive lineman. He developed a head slap move that frustrated opponents, especially quarterbacks as he continually penetrated the offensive line gaining sack after sack.

When asked about the possibility of his bullying offensive linemen, Jones response reveals a strong football confidence with no hint of regret. “The head slap was not my invention, but Rembrandt, of course, did not invent painting. The quickness of my hands and the length of my arms, it was perfect for me. It was the greatest thing I ever did, and when I left the game, they outlawed it.”

Deacon Jones career spanned from 1961-1974 playing for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins. During his career he played in eight Pro Bowls, and he was elected into the National Football Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1994, he was chosen as one of three defensive ends on the all NFL 75th anniversary team chosen by league personnel as well as news media. Just as he modeled mental toughness on the field during his playing days, Jones also pushed for a legacy of impacting others after he retired in 1974.

He organized the Deacon Jones Foundation to provide college opportunities to inner city youth providing they volunteer within their communities. He turned his impact from the game of football into a legacy of helping others off the field. Deacon Jones used his celebrity status to create better opportunities for children, and befriended many young athletes in their professional careers as well. He was always willing to help or offer advice whether it was on the football field or just in living life to the fullest.

One player befriended by Jones is former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, who greatly benefitted when Jones mentored him early in his career. Strahan credited much of his mental game on the teachings of Jones.

Strahan offered his admiration when he said, “He was fun to watch, because he was long and lanky. You have a lot of players who play the game who do what other players have done. But Deacon did things that people hadn’t done before. He made them outlaw something [his head slap move] that he did. He found another way to get better, another way to succeed. He forever changed the position. He is the founding father, in my opinion, of defensive ends.”

Deacon Jones will be forever remembered for his tenacious mental toughness as a defensive end in the NFL, and always missed for his philanthropic efforts off the field.

Rest In Peace.