Jim Marshall (defensive end)

Last updated

Jim Marshall
No. 80, 70
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1937-12-30) December 30, 1937 (age 86)
Wilsonville, Kentucky, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school: East
(Columbus, Ohio)
College: Ohio State (1956–1958)
NFL draft: 1960  / Round: 4 / Pick: 44
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL records
  • Most consecutive games played with one team: 270 (Minnesota Vikings)
  • Most consecutive starts by a defensive player: 270 (289 including playoffs)
Career NFL statistics
Fumble recoveries:30
Interceptions:1
Interception return yards:30
Safeties:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Games played:282
Games started:277
Sacks:130.5 [lower-alpha 1]
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

James Lawrence Marshall (born December 30, 1937) is an American former professional football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 19 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at Ohio State, before leaving to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 1960 NFL draft.

Contents

Marshall recovered an NFL record 29 opponents' fumbles, including his 1964 "wrong-way run", a play in which he recovered a fumble and returned it 66 yards in the wrong direction into his own end zone, where he threw the ball out of bounds, resulting in a safety for the San Francisco 49ers. [1] He owns the career records for most consecutive starts (270) and most games played (282) by a defensive player.

Early life

Marshall was born in Wilsonville, in Boyle County, Kentucky. [2]

Football career

Marshall played college football at Ohio State. He left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was then traded to the Cleveland Browns in an NFL–CFL transaction, being swapped for Bob Ptacek. Marshall played the 1960 season with the Browns before being traded along with five other players (including fellow defensive lineman Paul Dickson) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two draft picks in the 1962 NFL draft. [3] He played from 1961 to 1979 with the Vikings and finished with a then-record 282 consecutive games played (since surpassed by punter Jeff Feagles). [4] Marshall started 270 consecutive games while playing for the Vikings, an NFL record since surpassed by Brett Favre. [5]

Marshall played in the Pro Bowl in 1968 and 1969. He recovered 30 fumbles during his career, an NFL record. He was a member of the Vikings' famous "Purple People Eaters" (which consisted of Marshall (DE), Alan Page (DT), Gary Larsen (DT), and Carl Eller (DE)), and was the final player from Minnesota's initial expansion team of 1961 to retire. Marshall had 127 career quarterback sacks as a Viking, second-most in team history behind Eller. [6] At the time of his retirement in 1979, Marshall had played in every game in Vikings history.

Marshall is one of 11 players to have played in all four of the Vikings' Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s.

Legacy

Marshall's No. 70 has been retired by the Vikings and he is a member of the team's Ring of Honor. In 2004, Marshall was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association Hall of Very Good in the association's second HOVG class. [7] Marshall was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004, but was not elected. In 2008, NFL Network named Marshall the second-best player not in the Hall of Fame on their NFL Top 10 program, behind only Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jerry Kramer; Kramer would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2023 and 2024, he was listed as a semifinalist for the senior nominees, but failed to advance to the final 12.

The Wrong Way Run

The Wrong Way 1of4.png
The Wrong Way 2of4.png
The Wrong Way 3of4.png
The Wrong Way 4of4.png
Marshall recovers the fumble (1), before running in the wrong direction (2). In the aftermath of the 49ers' safety, opposing tackle Bruce Bosley (No. 77) congratulates Marshall on the play, (3) as he quickly realizes what has happened. (4)

During his time with the Minnesota Vikings, Marshall's most infamous moment took place. Marshall was playing in a game against the San Francisco 49ers on October 25, 1964.

After recovering an offensive fumble, Marshall ran 66 yards the wrong way into his team's own end zone. [8] [9] After completing the run, thinking that he had scored a touchdown for the Vikings, Marshall then pitched the ball in celebration, and the ball landed out of bounds, resulting in a safety for the 49ers. According to Marshall, when he approached Vikings head coach Norm Van Brocklin afterwards, Van Brocklin said, "Jim, you did the most interesting thing in this game today." [10] Despite the gaffe, the Vikings won the game 27–22, thanks to a forced fumble by Marshall, which Eller returned for a touchdown.

Marshall later received a letter from Roy Riegels, infamous for a wrong-way run in the 1929 Rose Bowl, stating, "Welcome to the club." [11] In 2019, Marshall's miscue was ranked No. 54 among the NFL's 100 Greatest Plays. [12]

NFL records

Personal life

Marshall resides in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. [13] He has been married twice: firstly to Anita [14] (with whom he has two daughters) and then a second time, to Susan. [13] In September 2009, when quarterback Brett Favre was set to surpass Marshall's record of consecutive games started, he could not attend the game as it coincided with his wedding anniversary. A few days later, Marshall visited the Vikings' practice facilities to congratulate Favre in person. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Vikings</span> National Football League franchise in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansion team, the team began play the following year. They are named after the Vikings of medieval Scandinavia, reflecting the prominent Scandinavian American culture of Minnesota. The team plays its home games at U.S. Bank Stadium in the Downtown East section of Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl IV</span> Fourth AFL–NFL Championship Game

Super Bowl IV was an American football game played on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the fourth and final AFL–NFL World Championship Game in professional football prior to the AFL–NFL merger taking effect the following season. The American Football League (AFL) champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the National Football League (NFL) champion Minnesota Vikings by the score of 23–7. This victory by the AFL squared the Super Bowl series with the NFL at two games apiece as the two leagues merged after the game.

Super Bowl VIII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Minnesota Vikings and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1973 season. The Dolphins conquered the Vikings by the score of 24–7 to win their second consecutive Super Bowl, the first team to do so since the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowls I and II, and the first AFL/AFC team to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fumble</span> Live loose ball in gridiron football

A fumble in gridiron football occurs when a player who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed (tackled), scoring, or going out of bounds. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking, punting, or successful handing that results in loss of ball possession by a player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Finks</span> American and Canadian football player and coach, sports executive

James Edward Finks was an American football and Canadian football player, coach, and executive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interception</span> American football play in which a defensive player catches a pass, resulting in a turnover

In ball-playing competitive team sports, an interception or pick is a move by a player involving a pass of the ball—whether by foot or hand, depending on the rules of the sport—in which the ball is intended for a player of the same team but caught by a player of the team on defense, who thereby usually gains possession of the ball for their team. It is commonly seen in football, including American and Canadian football, as well as association football, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, as well as any sport by which a loose object is passed between players toward a goal. In basketball, this is called a steal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Eller</span> American football player (born 1942)

Carl Eller is an American former professional football player who played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purple People Eaters</span> 1960s and 1970s NFL defensive line for the Minnesota Vikings

The Purple People Eaters was a nickname for the defensive line of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1977, consisting mainly of Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, Gary Larsen, and Doug Sutherland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Randle</span> American football player (born 1967)

John Anthony Randle is an American former football defensive tackle who played eleven seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and three seasons for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was a six-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. Since becoming an official stat in 1982, his 137.5 sacks rank tenth, tied with Richard Dent, and first among defensive tackles. On February 6, 2010, he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played college football for the Trinity Valley Cardinals and the Texas A&I Javelinas, and was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent after the 1990 NFL draft. He is considered one of the greatest undrafted players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Craig (American football)</span> American football player (born 1960)

Roger Timothy Craig is an American former football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. Craig went to four Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls with the 49ers. Craig was the first NFL player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey are the only other players to have accomplished that feat. He currently works as the VP of Business Development at TIBCO Software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lon Simmons</span> Former play by play man for Fresno State,SF Giants,SF 49ers and Oakland As

Lonnie Alexander "Lon" Simmons was an American sports announcer, best known for his play-by-play broadcasts of San Francisco Giants baseball and San Francisco 49ers football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Feagles</span> American football player (born 1966)

Jeffrey Allan Feagles is an American former professional football player who was a punter for 22 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1988, and most recently played for the New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Kilmer</span> American football player (born 1939)

William Orland Kilmer Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Redskins. He was also used as a running back and wide receiver. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, then 18 seasons as a professional. In 1964, while playing running back for the 49ers, Kilmer played a supporting role in one of the most infamous incidents in gridiron history when Vikings defensive lineman Jim Marshall ran Kilmer's fumble back 66 yards into the wrong end zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Young</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1943)

James Norman Young is a former professional American football and Canadian football player. Young played running back and wide receiver for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings for two seasons (1965–66), and the CFL's BC Lions for thirteen seasons (1967–79). Young is a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Queen's University Football Hall of Fame. Young's #30 jersey is one of ten numbers retired by the BC Lions. In 2003, Young was voted a member of the BC Lions All-Time Dream Team as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebration. In 2006, Young was voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL's top 50 players of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.

The Minnesota Vikings are an American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After initially committing to become one of the founding members of the American Football League (AFL) in 1959, the team joined the National Football League (NFL) as an expansion franchise and played their first game in 1961, as part of the Western Conference. In 1967, they were placed into the new Central division, which became part of the National Football Conference following the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. The divisions were reorganized again in 2002, with the Vikings as part of the NFC North, in which they have played ever since. The Vikings have won their division 20 times and appeared in the playoffs 30 times, leading to four conference championships and one NFL title in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 Minnesota Vikings season</span> NFL team season

The 1964 season was the Minnesota Vikings' fourth in the National Football League. Under head coach Norm Van Brocklin, the team finished with an 8–5–1 record for their first winning season and a franchise-best until 1969. They tied with the Green Bay Packers for second place in the Western conference, who gained the berth in the third-place Playoff Bowl in Miami on January 3. The two teams had split their season series, with the road teams winning, but the Packers won the tiebreaker on point differential: the Vikings' victory was by just one point, while Green Bay won by over four touchdowns. In the season opener, the Vikings upset eventual Western champion Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1969 Minnesota Vikings season</span> NFL team season

The 1969 season was the Minnesota Vikings' ninth season in the National Football League (NFL) and their third under head coach Bud Grant. With a 12–2 record, the best in the league, the Vikings won the NFL Central division title, to qualify for the playoffs for the second year in a row. This was the first of three consecutive seasons as the best team in the NFL for the Vikings. They beat the Los Angeles Rams in the Western Conference Championship Game, and the Cleveland Browns in the final NFL Championship Game before the merger with the American Football League. With these wins, the Vikings became the last team to possess the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy, introduced 35 years earlier in 1934.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Mira</span> American gridiron football player (born 1942)

George Ignacio Mira is an American former football quarterback who played in eight National Football League (NFL) seasons for four teams. He then played five seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the World Football League (WFL).

Walter Robert Yowarsky was an American football defensive end, offensive lineman, coach, and scout in the National Football League (NFL) for 50 years.

References

  1. ↑ "Jim Marshall – "NFL'S GREATEST IRON MAN"" . Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  2. ↑ "» Ex-Viking to be inducted into Ky Pro Football Hall of Fame What's Up? With Merlene". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Original Viking Paul Dickson dies". Star Tribune .
  4. ↑ Jeff Feagles Giants Player Bio
  5. ↑ NFL.com: Vikings QB Favre 'grateful' after his NFL-record 271st start in a row
  6. ↑ "Vikings: Ring of Honor". Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Hall of Very Good". Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  8. ↑ Rolfe, John (August 2, 2006). "NFL's most embarrassing moments". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  9. ↑ "This Day in NFL History: Jim Marshall runs the wrong way". NFL.com. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ Hambrick, David Z. (February 23, 2016). "The Psychology of the Breathtakingly Stupid Mistake". Scientific American. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  11. ↑ Marshall's claim during his appearance on I've Got A Secret following the incident.
  12. ↑ "NFL 100 Greatest Plays - No. 54: Jim Marshall's Wrong Way Run". NFL.com. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  13. 1 2 Cash, Rana. "Vikings great Jim Marshall's Pro Football Hall of Fame bid denied yet again". Star Tribune.
  14. ↑ Cotton, Anthony (December 24, 1979). "A MAN FOR 20 SEASONS". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Former Viking Marshall congratulates Favre on iron-man record". NFL.com. September 25, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  1. ↑ Sacks were not officially tracked by the NFL until 1982, but retroactively, statisticians have tracked sacks for careers such as Marshall)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.