Headslap: The Life and Times of Deacon Jones

Football Hall of Famer Jones, widely considered the best defensive end in the history of the game, played from 1960 to 1975, mostly with the Los Angeles Rams, then with the San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins. This outstanding sports book, however, does not concentrate on his exploits on the field, notable though they were. Klawitter (Crazyhead) takes Jones through his reminiscences of the dangerous existence of a young black man in the Deep South of the 1950s; the obstacles put in the way of black players by owners who viewed all their team members as chattel, but especially blacks; inept coaches, many selected by owners because they were pliable, if not obsequious, who had little idea of how to encourage maximum performance from athletes. Some readers may be wary of a book of such length about a jock, but they will find interesting revelations throughout. Photos not seen by PW. (Aug.)