The football world reacted quickly Monday night and early Tuesday that defensive end Deacon Jones, considered by many to be the greatest defensive player in NFL history, died at the age of 74.
Here is a sample of the comments on Twitter:
I lost a good friend and mentor. We will miss him greatly. Irreplaceable. RIP Deacon. - Jack
— Jack Youngblood (@theblood85)
God is assembling one heck of a pass rush in heaven with the likes of R.White, D. Thomas, D.Jones as well as many other greats! RIP
— Greg Jennings (@GregJennings)
When Deacon Jones came to Rams Park to address the team. The entire team was at attention to hear what he had to say.
— Torry Holt (@BigGame81)
RIP Deacon Jones. The SACK king. We all salute u, especially those of us who rush the passer! Thanks for paving the way.
— Jason Taylor (@JasonTaylor)
Deacon Jones - talk about a BEAST...
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth)
Lost a Legend... But All Legends Play In Heaven.
— Chance Warmack (@chancewarmack)
Reflecting & HONORING a true warrior & legend Deacon Jones. Thank you for blazing the trail so we all could soar. Your legacy lives forever
— Steven Jackson (@sj39)
My condolences 2 fam/friends of Rams great Deacon Jones! We appreciate ur contribution 2 game & person u were off the field!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner)
RIP Deacon Jones. The original "Sack Master"
— Justin Tuck (@JustinTuck)
Got a lot of respect for Deacon Jones, the sackmaster. My prayers go out to him & family.
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24)
R.I.P. Deacon Jones. One of the best to ever play the game.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt)
Deacon Jones you paved the way for guys like myself, played the game like it should have been played and told it like it was
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman)
RIP Deacon Jones. legendary player & storyteller. kicked a PAT in his last regular season game. Holder? Joe Theismann
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy)
Farewell, DEACON JONES, author of the "QB sack." An all-time superstar and a big help in making this sport as popular as it is.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay)
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Deacon Jones. He was a great man on & off the field and will be missed.
— Eric Dickerson (@EricDickerson)
RIP to my friend, mentor and idol Mr. Deacon Jones. Was always there for me from the beginning and led the way for all if us DE's!
— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan)
I awake to the worst news in a while, David "Deacon" Jones is gone home!
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp)
The has lost a true legend in Deacon Jones. He truly changed the culture and way the games played.
— Felix Jones 2 (@felixjones28)
": Quick, let's name the football players who were better than deacon jones: RIP" luke knows
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver)
to the GREAT Deacon Jones!
— Sidney Rice (@sidneyrice)
One of the most respected players that I always admired and respected. RIP Deacon Jones.
— Andre Carter (@mr_carter93)
RIP LEGEND RT : Deacon Jones, master of the QB sack, dies at 74:
— Brendon Ayanbadejo (@brendon310)
RIP to Deacon Jones, one of the best to ever play in the NFL.
— Brandon Carr (@BCarr39)
RIP Deacon Jones. First time I meet him I was nervous. But, a Pleasure spending time with the legend. Fantastic career, amazing tales!
— Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird)
Life is too short appreciate every minute cherish moments and most of all don't ever waste a snap there all precious R.I.P Deacon Jones#rams
— Cortland Finnegan (@CortFinnegan)
A tremendously sad day for our Rams family with the passing of Deacon Jones. Revered on & off the field, a legend who redefined the game.
— Kevin Demoff (@kdemoff)
