LA Rams’ rafters: Why are those jersey numbers retired?

DE Jones

The Rams retired another defensive lineman jersey, number 75 belongs to Rams DE Deacon Jones, arguably the best, and certainly the most feared, pass rusher in NFL history. He was simply an unstoppable player, a menacing presence.

He’s credited with being the father of the sack, a term he is said to have coined himself.

In 1999, he told the LA Times that his motto was as follows:

"“You take all the offensive linemen and you put them in a burlap bag, and then you take a baseball bat and beat on the bag. You’re sacking them. You’re bagging them. And that’s what you’re doing with a quarterback.” –Deacon Jones"

But he has entire websites dedicated to his now-famous quotes. Here is another:

"“There are all kinds of smiles. On the football field I mostly used the one where the hawk spots the dove.”-Deacon Jones"

The smile of a hawk when it spies the dove… classic stuff. And he’s made an incredible impression on the sport of professional football itself.

Nicknamed “the Secretary of Defense”, Jones is considered one of the greatest defensive players ever. The Los Angeles Times called Jones the “most valuable Ram of all time,” and former Rams head coach George Allen called him the “greatest defensive end of modern football.”

In 1967 and 1968 he was named Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. Deacon Jones highlights

During his career, he played for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.