Rosey Grier Remembers Deacon Jones
June 5, 2013 at 1:29 pm Tina Hay 3 comments
USA Today has a sweet story online about the death on Monday of Deacon Jones, one of the L.A. Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” of the 1960s. The story extensively quotes Rosey Grier ’56, who is now the sole living member of that foursome.
“It was a heavy blow for me, like losing a family member,” Grier says of Jones’ death. “We four were family.” Which may seem obvious—but, as the article points out, it was an unusual family for its time: three blacks and a white Mormon. Says Grier: “The four of us set out to prove that it wasn’t about the color of the man, it was about the desire of each individual to work together as a team.”
Something interesting I learned from the story: Despite his nickname, Deacon Jones was not a particularly religious man. It was Grier who encouraged him—even as recently as three weeks ago—to get in touch with his spiritual side.
(We did a cover story on Rosey Grier two years ago; you can read it here.)
Tina Hay, editor
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: Deacon Jones, Fearsome Fourseom, Rosey Grier.
1. Nettie Jayne Milton | June 13, 2013 at 5:50 am
requesting contact address for Rosey Greir
2. Nettie Jayne Milton | June 13, 2013 at 5:54 am
I would like to speak or write to Mr.Rosey Greir,I grew up with him in Rosell New Jersey,my address is 1505 Mt.Vernon Rd. Vidalia Ga.30474
3. Tina Hay | June 13, 2013 at 8:46 am
Ms. Milton — You might try contacting him through the foundation he works with, the Milken Foundation. It’s at http://www.mff.org.