Jordan’s Serial: Deacon gone but not forgotten
Every once in a while a player comes along that not only changes the way watch the game, but also the way future players and coaches look to play the game. Too often in the modern game players can be over analysed, which leads them to be over-rated. The media grabs them and shakes them around to a point where very seldom to they live up to the hype.
The sad passing of David D. “Deacon” Jones at the start of the this week, reminded many that you don’t need hype and melodrama to become a superstar in the NFL; you just needed a hard work ethic, a hard-hitting no nonsense approach to the game – the rest follows. Not only do you gain the respect of your peers, the fear of your opponents and share the glory with your teammates, you show that you can be at the top and be humble.
Jones was born on December 9th, 1938 in Eatonville, Florida. Like all kids that were into sports he played his fair share of baseball, basketball as well as football whilst growing up. After a mixed college career at both South Carolina State and Mississippi Valley State, he entered the 1961 NFL Draft and was a Round 14 pick (186th overall) for the Los Angeles Rams.
Making an immediate impact he became a starter alongside Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier. Being part of this group of players led to two nicknames being born. Jones was that good he was now the “Secretary of Defense” and was part of what still to this day can be argued as the best front defensive four in the history of the game. They were simply defined as the “Fearsome Foursome”
Being selected for 8 Pro Bowls, being voted onto the 1960s All-Decade team, then subsequently onto the NFL 1975 Anniversary All-Time team was evidence that Deacon Jones was a player ahead of his time. He played in a time that had no official statistic for sacking the quarterback (this was introduced in 1982). It could be said that he helped makes this happen; indeed he was credited with coining the phrase “sacking the quarterback” because he was so dominant in this area of the game tape was rewound and an unofficial sack tally of 194.5 was counted. This figure has only been beaten by two players in the official era.
Jones died, aged 74, of natural causes. He was referred to by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as “an icon among icons”. Many of the modern day icons have paid tribute over the last few days to a man they looked up to, aspired to be like, and were honoured to be mentioned alongside.
As a defensive end Deacon Jones changed the way that position was played and played against. His very presence on the field was larger than life, in his passing he leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten.
THREE TIMES A CHARM FOR LONDON?
I wonder what Deacon Jones would have made of the announcement made by Commissioner Roger Goodell that he is planning to have a third game played in London in the very near future?
Yes, it seems that the global expansion of the NFL brand is getting bigger. Quicker.
Goodell also went onto say that the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have already signed a deal to play one home game at Wembley Stadium in each of the next four seasons, could in fact play host to another game. This really does lean towards the possibility of a London franchise coming to life.
I have written about this before, and will do again, but let it be known now that even though personally I love the sport and the whole NFL brand, but a franchise here? I’m not so sure on that one.
Watch this space…
