Ohio State football legend passes away at age 87
An Ohio State football legend has passed away.
Former Buckeye and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall died at the age of 87 on Tuesday. He played under Woody Hayes in 1957 and 1958, helping lead the team to a national championship in 1957. He was a two-time All-Big Ten performer and was recognized as a third-team All-American in 1958.
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His Ohio State career was awfully good, but it was the NFL where he really shined. Marshall began his professional career in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns in a rare CFL/NFL swap. He played one year in Cleveland before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings as part of the 1962 NFL expansion.
He became a perennial star in the Twin Cities.
During a very long 20-year career (the last 19 with the Vikings), Marshall made two Pro Bowls, was a captain 14 consecutive seasons, set the league record for consecutive games played at 270 (since broken by Brett Favre in 2008), and helped anchor the famed "Purple People Eaters" defensive line. He was an NFL champion in 1969, has been inducted into the Minnesota Ring of Honor, and also has his No. 70 retired in the Twin Cities.
"The entire Minnesota Vikings organization is mourning the loss of Jim Marshall," Vikings owner Mark Wilf and their ownership group said in a statement. "No player in Vikings history lived the ideals of toughness, camaraderie, and passion more than the all-time iron man. A cornerstone of the franchise from the beginning, Captain Jim's unmatched durability and quiet leadership earned the respect of teammates and opponents throughout his 20-year career. Jim led by example, and there was no finer example for others to follow. His impact on the Vikings was felt long after he left the field. Jim will always be remembered as a tremendous player and person."
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Marshall was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978. May he rest in peace.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football and Vikings legend passes away at age 87
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