Latest news with #AlanPage
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Amazing Jim Marshall Started 270 Straight Games, Setting Tone For Vikings
Jim Marshall, Carl Eller and Alan Page formed the nucleus of the dominant Purple People Eaters. ... More (Photo by) The Minnesota Vikings have improved on defense each of the past two years under the leadership of defensive coordinator Brian Flores. While the headlines around the team surround quarterback J.J. McCarthy and his ability to adapt to his role in the offense and help turn the Vikings into a championship team, the defense has a chance to become one of the better units in the NFL. There was a time the Vikings had the best defense in the NFL, and while there were a few teams that could compete with head coach Bud Grant's remarkable defensive unit, none were better. Not the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams or the Baltimore Colts. Flores would love nothing more to have as dominant a defensive unit as the Vikings had in those ancient days. The Vikings had the game's pre-eminent pass rush unit, and that group had one of the greatest nicknames the sport has ever seen. 'The Purple People Eaters' were a devastating group of pass rushers that included Alan Page, Jim Marshall, Carl Eller and Gary Larsen. Page has been widely recognized as the Vikings' best defensive player and he is in the Hall of Fame. However, Marshall and Eller were nearly as good and regularly wrecked opposing offenses. Larsen should not be overlooked even though he was a stay-at-home type who complemented the three superstars. The 87-year-old Marshall died Wednesday following a long illness. He played 19 of his 20 seasons with the Vikings. He was traded to the team prior to its initial 1961 season by the Cleveland Browns. Marshall started 270 consecutive regular-season games at defensive end — the most ever by a defensive player in NFL history — and was on the team for all four of it Super Bowl appearances. While the Vikings lost all four of those Super Bowl appearances, they did win one NFL championship. The two leagues did not officially merge until the 1970 season. Prior to that year, the NFL and the American Football League were separate entities, and the Vikings won the 1969 NFL title. Marshall is famous for running the wrong way when he picked up a fumble in a 1964 game against the San Francisco 49ers and ran it 66 yards into the endzone before flipping the ball into the stands. However, he ran the ball into the Minnesota end zone and the play resulted in a safety for the Niners. It is considered one of the most memorable plays in NFL history, but it did not cost the Vikings. They won the game by a 27-22 margin at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium. That play did not define Marshall's career. It was his determination to show up every Sunday and make plays that contributed to his team's success. In a game where players are rightly celebrated for playing every game in a given season – let alone two or three – Marshall never took a game off. Despite injury, illness and age, Marshall showed up every week without fail and gave the Vikings everything he had. He was a remarkable player who excelled against the run and rushed the passer extremely well. He had double-digit sacks in four seasons and he was always around the ball. He had 130.5 sacks and 30 fumble recoveries throughout his remarkable career. Many football fans know that sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until the 1982 season, but Pro Football Reference went back and counted the stats in all of Marshall's games – as well as many other stars – and came up with that widely recognized number. Marshall amazed Grant with his consistency and ability to show up every week and make key contributions. Grant was not an easy leader to impress. It would be folly to compare any of today's Vikings to Marshall, but the consistency of Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel, Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus are key strengths of the Vikings defense. All of those players have something to aspire to as they prepare for the 2025 season.
Associated Press
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Troy Vincent has made community service a priority after experiencing domestic violence as a child
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Troy Vincent realized as a teenager that serving the community was a priority in his life. He went on to have a successful NFL career after Miami drafted him in the first round in 1992, made five Pro Bowls as a cornerback and won the 2002 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award for community service along with the NFLPA Alan Page award. Vincent is a former president of the NFL Players Association and has worked for the league office since 2010, serving as executive vice president of football operations for more than a decade. He's been giving back along his journey. 'Once you kind of realize that your normal is your normal and things that people think how did you make it through, but that's normal to me,' Vincent said. 'I'm drinking from wells which I have not dug. I'm standing on shoulders of people, of generational leaders that have fought, given their lives, sacrificed so much. This is necessary. I'm just next in line.' On Friday, Vincent will be inducted into the Sport for Impact Ring of Honor, a recognition created for Walter Payton Man of the Year recipients who 'continue to make selfless and exceptional contributions to society and community.' Sport for Impact is a nonprofit foundation powered by a network of athletes created with former NFL star Anquan Boldin to support athletes across their charitable impact work. Earlier this week, Vincent and his wife, Tommi, hosted an event for students through their Love Thy Neighbor foundation. The eighth annual activation provides a safe haven for students living in under-resourced areas in close proximity to the Super Bowl activities. Since it launched, the initiative has impacted over 3,400 students and 400 educators and has contributed more than $575,000 in funds and 'wish list' items to participating schools. Tuesday's event included eye examinations and health screenings along with fun activities and flag football. 'We have a tremendous opportunity to make an impact in communities surrounding and near to the Super Bowl,' Tommi Vincent said. 'It really just presents an opportunity to bring part of the Super Bowl to them so we're always excited. This is our favorite time of the year.' Troy Vincent was directly affected by domestic violence as a child growing up in Trenton, New Jersey. Tommi Vincent is a survivor of domestic violence. Troy Vincent has become an advocate fighting against domestic violence and sexual assault, giving the league office a powerful voice on the topic. The Vincents launched The Vincent Commission in partnership with Niagara University to research gender-based violence, especially on college campuses. 'When I gave my life to Christ in 1986, it was always: 'Lord, use me if you give me the platform. If you present the platform to me, you can trust me. You can use me. Use me to make a difference,'' Vincent said. 'As I've matured and Tommi and I matured in our marriage, we've just been presented more and more opportunities. There were more and more opportunities to make a difference with people. We don't do it alone,' he said. 'We take no credit. We do it with great people who are like-minded. These are passion projects. These are purposeful projects.' Vincent played eight of his 15 seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. He had his greatest success playing for Andy Reid, who coaches the Kansas City Chiefs.
