Coy Bacon (1942-2008)

Lander McCoy "Coy" Bacon, a fierce pass rusher during a 14-year NFL career that began with the Rams, died Monday in his hometown of Ironton, Ohio. He was 66.

The cause was not disclosed in the Associated Press story.

Bacon played for the Los Angeles Rams out of Jackson State from 1968-72, when he made the first of his three Pro Bowls. He was traded to the Bengals for receiver Charlie Joiner and in Cincinnati, the defensive lineman blossomed as one of the league's top pass rushers in the days before sacks were recognized as an official NFL statistic.

He finished his NFL career by playing four years for the Redskins.

Last year, when we did our all-time numerical roster of Los Angeles athletics, Bacon was among the best we could find at No. 79. (linked here)