The original sackmaster, David ''Deacon'' Jones, Hall of Famer and defensive end credited with terming the word sack for how he knocked down quarterbacks, has died.

 The Washington Redskins said that Jones died of natural causes at his home in Southern California on Monday night. He was 74 years old.

The 6-foot-5-inch tall Jones acquired up 173 sacks during a 14-year career with the Los Angeles Rams, the San Diego Chargers and the Redskins, but unfortunately because sacks didn't become an official statistic until 1982, Jones' actual total is uncertain.

Jones started his NFL career in 1961 with the Rams. He spent 11 seasons there. Jones, along with Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier, and Lamar Lundy he formed arguably one of the best lines of all time: the legendary Fearsome Four.

Jones made the annual Pro Bowl every year from 1964-70.

Jones was the leader of the Fearsome Foursome from 1961-71 then played for San Diego for two seasons before ending his career with the Washington Redskins in 1974. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and then proceeded to make the league's 75th anniversary all-time squad.

After retiring, Jones worked as a radio host and served as a spokesman for blood-pressure and started the Deacon Jones Foundation in order to mentor inner-city high school students. He also published an autobiography entitled, what else, "Head Slap."

 Rams fans nicknamed him "Secretary of Defense," during his time there, and in 1999, Sports Illustrated named him the "Defensive End of the Century.

Paul Zimmerman, also known as Dr. Z, in Sports Illustrated had this to say about the defensive end: "Jones could split helmets with his head slap, and his outside speed rush was devastating,"

"Plus, Jones was relentless; he never gave up. He collected sacks on his hands and knees." Zimmerman said.

George Allen, who coached the Fearsome Foursome, called Jones the ''greatest defensive end of modern football.''

Bruce Allen, the son of George Allen coached Jones with the Rams said: "Deacon Jones was one of the greatest players in NFL history. Off the field, he was a true giant.

''His passion and spirit will continue to inspire those who knew him. He was a cherished member of the Allen family and I will always consider him my big brother."