Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2009

Rams announce they will retire Deacon Jones' No. 75

Glover declares he is retiring

ST. LOUIS -- One of the most memorable players on the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome," Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones, will have his No. 75 retired by the St. Louis Rams this season.

"Deacon Jones left an indelible mark on the Rams organization as one of the best defensive players in NFL history," Rams' Owner/Chairman Chip Rosenbloom said. "For more than 10 seasons, the No. 75 Rams jersey represented hard work, determination and defensive dominance. We take great pride in honoring Deacon and his wife, Elizabeth, by retiring his number."

Jones, who played with the Rams from 1961-71, recorded a team-leading 159 1/2 quarterback sacks for the Rams and had 173 1/5 for his career. He had 21 sacks in 1967 and reached the double-digit sack total seven times, hitting 20 or more three times.

Since quarterback sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982, some believe Jones' actual sack total was even higher.

The rest of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" were Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier. Jones was the first defensive lineman to record 100 solo tackles (1967) and was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1967 and 1968).

He was voted to nine Pro Bowls, including seven straight from 1964-70. Jones also was included on tyhe NFL's All-Decade team of the 1960s and made the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team in 1994.

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

"We are thrilled to retire Rams No. 75 in tribute to Deacon Jones," Rams General Manager Billy Devaney said. "Our entire organization has a great deal of respect for Deacon and the legacy he has left for the Rams, as well as the National Football League. We are all honored to be part of this special occasion."

Glover announces retirement

La'Roi Glover, a six-time Pro Bowl selection at defensive tackle who once led the NFL in sacks, announced his retirement Monday after 13 seasons.

Glover, who turns 35 on July 4, spent the past three seasons with St. Louis. He was not re-signed following the 2008 season, when he had 30 tackles and one-half sack. A Rams spokesman said the team had no comment.

"I'm blessed that I was able to play this game that I love for so long. It has been such an incredible journey," Glover said in a prepared statement.

Glover was selected by Oakland in the fifth round of the 1996 draft out of San Diego State. Considered undersized at 290 pounds, he played in just two games as a rookie, with two tackles and no sacks.

His career took off a year later in New Orleans, where he had 50 sacks over five seasons, including an NFL-best 17 in 2000 -- a rare feat for a tackle. From 1998 through 2000, only two players had more sacks than Glover's 35.5 -- Kevin Carter (39.5) and Warren Sapp (36).

Glover had 21.5 sacks in four seasons in Dallas, and 12 in three seasons in St. Louis. He signed with the Rams as a free agent before the 2006 season.

Glover had 627 tackles and 83.5 sacks for his career. He was also known for his durability. After playing 15 games in 1997, Glover played in all 16 games each of the past 11 seasons.

He has also earned off-the-field honors. He established the La'Roi Glover Foundation in 1999, providing scholarships to San Diego area students and assisting children's charities. He was the Rams' 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner.

The Rams are getting younger under new coach Steve Spagnuolo. Veteran quarterback Trent Green, 38, announced his retirement earlier this month.