Deacon Jones Dead -- NFL Legend Dies at 74

Deacon Jones ... one of the greatest football players in the history of the game -- is dead.

Jones -- a member of the L.A. Rams Fearsome Foursome from 1961 to 1971 -- died at his home in So. Cal. at age 74.

Deacon revolutionized the way defensive ends played the game -- not only creating his famous "head slap" technique, but he's also responsible for the term "sack" because of the way he destroyed quarterbacks.

Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Deacon also dabbled in TV and movies. He had guest-starring roles on "The Brady Bunch" and "Bewitched." He was also in the movie, "Heaven Can Wait."

Jones died of natural causes.