Latest news with #JimMarshall
NBC Sports
11 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
PFT Draft: Best unit nicknames of all-time
In honor of Jim Marshall, Mike Florio and Michael Holley discuss the best unit nicknames of all-time, including Doomsday Defense, Steel Curtain, Greatest Show on Turf and more.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minnesota Vikings Legend Jim Marshall Passes Away
The Minnesota Vikings are the greatest team in NFL history to never win the Lombardi Trophy. They've played in 53 playoff games (21-32), 10 conference championships (4-6) and our Super Bowls (0-4). Yet, since the AFL/NFL merger in 1961 (Super Bowl era), the 65-year-old Vikings have never been to climb the ultimate NFL mountain. The closest they ever came were all from the same Purple People Eaters era from 1968 to 1978, when the Minnesota Vikings made the playoffs in 10 of 11 seasons, a run that included all four of the team's Super Bowl runs, to date — three of which were lead by legendary head coach Bud Grant and the greatest QB in franchise history, Fran Tarkenton. Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images One player who was around for all eleven of those seasons — and responsible for a large chunk of their success during the 60s and 70s — was Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor member out of Ohio State, Jim Marshall — whose 19 seasons in purple long ago got the Ironman's number (70) retired. Minnesota Vikings All-Time Great Jim Marshall Dies at Age 87 Unfortunately, the Vikings announced on Tuesday that Marshall has passed away at the age of 87 years old. In his 20 total years in the NFL (played one year in Cleveland), the all-time great Purple People Eater played in 282 games, including 270-straight starts, racking 120.5 sacks, good for 22nd all time. 'On behalf of his cherished wife, Susan, it is with heavy hearts and an abundant gratitude for the joy he brought to the franchise and region, that the Minnesota Vikings announce Marshall passed away Tuesday at the age of 87, following a lengthy hospitalization. Beyond athletic prowess, Marshall's legacy is one of an enduring and endearing spirit and deep generosity. His exuberance positively affected countless others, and his memory will continue to inspire. A celebration of his life will be planned.' Minnesota Vikings Advertisement The vaunted Minnesota Vikings defensive line of the 60s and 70s — which included Marshall, Alan Page, Gary Larsen and Gopher great Carl Eller — remains one of the best in league history, right up there with the Rams' 'Fearsome Foursome' and the Steelers' 'Steel Curtain', of that same era. Marshall will be sorely missed Jim Marshall was as much a contributor off the field for the Minnesota Vikings and in the local community as he was off on it back in the day. Much like his Purple People Eater linemates, Marshall is someone all corners of the fanbase celebrated and rallied around. Over the past couple of seasons at U.S. Bank Stadium, the pre-game introduction video has featured a defense of the frigid north and highlighted greats of yesteryear. It's impossible to think about the franchise and not consider The Purple People Eaters. Advertisement Related: Justin Jefferson Reveals Why He Attended Minnesota Vikings OTAs It's inexplicable that he's still yet to make the Hall of Fame. Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant was vocal about that until he passed. It should have happened sooner, and now, if Marshall does get in, it will be too late for him to see it, in person. It stands to reason that Minnesota will find a way to honor Jim Marshall this season. His number 70 is one of six retired by the organization. I can imagine there will be a jersey patch or, at least something on Vikings helmets this season, in order to commemorate Marshall and everything he has meant to the Minnesota Vikings. Related Headlines
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Jim Marshall dies at 87: Vikings DE best known for wrong way run
He played 19 of his 20 NFL seasons with the Vikings, joining them after being traded by the Cleveland Browns in 1961, which also happened to be Minnesota's inaugural season. Along with Gary Larsen and Hall of Famers Alan Page and Carl Eller, Marshall helped form the famed "Purple People Eaters" defensive line, a unit largely responsible for driving the team to four Super Bowl berths between the 1969 and '76 seasons - still the Vikings' only appearances on Super Sunday, though they lost all four times. "Jim Marshall set the tone for how this franchise goes today," Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton once said via the club's website. "We had the Purple People Eaters. They were the foundation of who we are. The leader of the band was Jim Marshall." The #Vikings family mourns the loss of Legend Jim Marshall. Marshall set the standard for what it meant to be a Minnesota Viking, starting 270 consecutive games, appearing in 4 Super Bowls and serving as team captain for 14 consecutive seasons. — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 3, 2025 A perennial team captain, Marshall started 270 consecutive regular-season games, second only to Hall of Famer Brett Favre (297) in NFL history. The 282 consecutive games Marshall played are the most ever by a defensive player. The Ohio State product's 29 fumble recoveries were a record when he retired following the 1979 season, but he was later matched by eventual Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. "The entire Minnesota Vikings organization is mourning the loss of Jim Marshall," read a statement from the Wilf family, owners of the team. "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. Our hearts are with his wife, Susan, and all of Jim's loved ones." However despite Marshall's lengthy service, membership on one of the league's most vaunted D-lines, two Pro Bowl nods and 130 1/2 career sacks (all unofficial as they weren't recognized until 1982), it was a legendary gaffe that brought him the most attention. On Oct. 25, 1964, at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium, Marshall was hustling while trailing a play in the fourth quarter. His effort was rewarded when he scooped up a fumble by the 49ers and set sail for the end zone - unfortunately, it was Minnesota's. Unaware of his disorientation, Marshall galloped 66 yards - failing to notice teammates urging him to turn around - before crossing his own goal line and chucking the ball toward the sideline in celebration. But instead of scoring six points for the Vikings, he'd provided a safety for the Niners. "(P)eople, you know, constantly talk about the wrong way run," Marshall told NFL Films decades later. "I always tell them, 'You know what, think about the worst mistake that you've ever made and think about a hundred, two hundred million people seeing you make that mistake and teasing you about it every day of your life. How would you feel?'" 60 Years Ago Today October 25, 1964 WRONG WAY MARSHALL#Vikings stalwart defensive end Jim Marshall returns a 49er fumble 66 yards -- the wrong way -- into his own end zone, scoring a safety for San Francisco on one of #NFL history's most bizarre, unforgettable plays. The... — Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) October 25, 2024 Ultimately, it didn't matter as Minnesota prevailed 27-22, Marshall subsequently forcing a fumble that led to the game-winning touchdown. Still, despite often being referred to as "Wrong Way Marshall," it was accomplishments that distinguished him. "He was a special player," Hall of Fame Vikings coach Bud Grant said at the team's facility years before his death in 2023. "Many times you're asked, 'Who are the greatest players?' As a coach, you can't say who is the best, but there is a category you do have, and that is 'special.' Jim Marshall was 'special.'" The Vikings said a celebration of Marshall's life is in the works, and the team already has pictures of him splashed across the top of its X account. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Axios
2 days ago
- Axios
South Minneapolis protests after federal law enforcement activity; Jim Marshall dies at 87
🚔 A heavy federal law enforcement presence in South Minneapolis conducted what the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office described as an execution of a search warrant as part of a criminal investigation. (MPR News) Protestors gathered, believing the action was an immigration raid. Though some officers wore ICE badges, local officials said the search wasn't related to immigration enforcement. 🏈 Legendary Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall died at 87 after a lengthy hospital stay. (Star Tribune) 🍻 Long-running downtown Minneapolis Irish pub Dan Kelly's closed Saturday, with the owner citing fewer office workers, safety concerns and a tough labor market. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)
Forbes
2 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.
