Deacon Jones Was No Fighter Part 2
Posted: 06 Jan 2008, 21:00
You don't know how good I feel that some of you guys like what I write about this great sport. I was going to save this for later,but this is worth sharing.
Before Deacon Jones embarrassed himself at Ali's training camp in San Diego(Deacon Jones Was No Fighter)you think he would have learned his lesson after this little episode.
It was early 1969 and he was appearing on a TV talk sports show out of Los Angeles. Sitting beside him was the other guest--Jerry Quarry. Jones had just finished 2nd in the MVP voting in the NFL. Quarry was coming off his first loss with Joe Frazier. The moderator asked the Deacon what was his secret for success. Without hesitating Jones smiles and says"confidence". The Deacon went on to say that anything he attempts to try, he would be the best because he was very confident in his abilities. "Yes",he went on,"I would even be a champion fighter" As he says this,he smiles and looks at Quarry.
Well Quarry is kind of slouched in his seat. He has just told the audience how disappointed he was with himself for losing to Joltin' Joe. Then the Deacon went on this discourse on confidence and he could do anything because he was confident,even be the champ,and looks at Jerry smiling.
That's all Jerry needed. He sprang out of his seat,stood over the Deacon,balled up his fist and slammed it into the palm of his hand. To steal a line from Hemingway,Jerry looked Irish and tough. "What are you trying to say? You want to try to kick my ass?" Quarry was boilin'. I thought his cuts were going to open he was so mad. "Come on man.Right now in front of everybody. I'll f--k you up."(live TV)
Well now the Deacon is slouched down in his seat and he doesn't look very confident. Quarry is standing over him with his fists doubled up and the moderator is trying to make eye contact with Quarry as to say"Please,don't do anything" After a long pause that seemed forever,the moderator looks at the camera and says"And now we'll take a break and hear from our sponsor"
After coming back from the break,the Deacon had left the building.
Before Deacon Jones embarrassed himself at Ali's training camp in San Diego(Deacon Jones Was No Fighter)you think he would have learned his lesson after this little episode.
It was early 1969 and he was appearing on a TV talk sports show out of Los Angeles. Sitting beside him was the other guest--Jerry Quarry. Jones had just finished 2nd in the MVP voting in the NFL. Quarry was coming off his first loss with Joe Frazier. The moderator asked the Deacon what was his secret for success. Without hesitating Jones smiles and says"confidence". The Deacon went on to say that anything he attempts to try, he would be the best because he was very confident in his abilities. "Yes",he went on,"I would even be a champion fighter" As he says this,he smiles and looks at Quarry.
Well Quarry is kind of slouched in his seat. He has just told the audience how disappointed he was with himself for losing to Joltin' Joe. Then the Deacon went on this discourse on confidence and he could do anything because he was confident,even be the champ,and looks at Jerry smiling.
That's all Jerry needed. He sprang out of his seat,stood over the Deacon,balled up his fist and slammed it into the palm of his hand. To steal a line from Hemingway,Jerry looked Irish and tough. "What are you trying to say? You want to try to kick my ass?" Quarry was boilin'. I thought his cuts were going to open he was so mad. "Come on man.Right now in front of everybody. I'll f--k you up."(live TV)
Well now the Deacon is slouched down in his seat and he doesn't look very confident. Quarry is standing over him with his fists doubled up and the moderator is trying to make eye contact with Quarry as to say"Please,don't do anything" After a long pause that seemed forever,the moderator looks at the camera and says"And now we'll take a break and hear from our sponsor"
After coming back from the break,the Deacon had left the building.