Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates after a sack against the San Diego Chargers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Per Kansas City Chiefs reporter BJ Kissel, perennial Pro Bowler Justin Houston will be given the Deacon Jones Award, honoring the late Hall of Fame defensive end and presented to the league’s regular-season sack leader.
#Chiefs linebacker @jhouston50 wins the Deacon Jones Award.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 31, 2014
READ: http://t.co/tD5h6oa4aU pic.twitter.com/4fL5YETJw0
Houston becomes the second player to receive the award, following inaugural recipient Robert Mathis of the Indianapolis Colts.
Per Kissel, the nightmarish edge-rusher was humbled by the news, saying:
"I’m very honored and humbled to earn this award named after one of the greatest defensive players and sack masters of all time. … I’d like to thank my teammates, coaches and our fan base. They rallied behind us all season long and helped fuel our pass rush. To have my name mentioned in the same sentence as a player like Deacon Jones is truly a blessing."
This season, Houston’s 22 takedowns finished just a half-sack shy of Michael Strahan’s all-time record of 22.5. (Brett Favre’s smartest life decision is not signing up for Twitter.)
The feat will be acknowledged at the league’s awards show on January 31.
Franchised or not, you can expect to see No. 50 at Arrowhead for plenty of years to come.