Jim Marshall (American football)

Infobox NFLretired

---

name=Jim Marshall
position=Defensive End
number=70
caption=
birthdate=birth date and age|1937|12|30
Danville, Kentucky
debutyear=1960
finalyear=1979
draftyear=1960
draftround=4
draftpick=44
college=Ohio State
teams=
* Cleveland Browns (1960)
* Minnesota Vikings (1961-1979)
stat1label=Sacks
stat1value=127
stat2label=Games
stat2value=282
stat3label=Safeties
stat3value=1
nfl=MAR425940
highlights=
*Pro Bowl (x2) (1968, 1969)
* Minnesota Vikings #70 Retired
* NFL record 282 consecutive games played by a Defensive End
* NFL record 270 consecutive starts played by any player
* NFL Record 29 Opponents Fumbles Recovered in Career
* NFL Record Shortest Play at -66 Yards
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

Jim Marshall (born December 30, 1937 Danville, Kentucky) played college football at Ohio State University.

Career

Marshall left school before his senior year, and played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was then drafted in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Marshall played the 1960 season with the Browns. He played from 1961 to 1979 with the Minnesota Vikings. He played in 282 consecutive games, a record since surpassed by Jeff Feagles. He still holds the record for consecutive starts with 270. [ [http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/12754352.html Mark Craig: Marshall hopes his record falls ] ]

He played in Pro Bowls after the 1968 and 1969 NFL seasons. He recovered 29 fumbles, an NFL record. He was a member of the Vikings' famous "Purple People Eaters", and was the final player from Minnesota's initial expansion team of 1961 to retire. The Vikings credit Marshall with 127 career quarterback sacks, second most in Viking History behind Carl Eller. [ [http://www.vikings.com/TeamHistoryPage_HistoryRingOfHonor.aspx Vikings : Ring Of Honor ] ]

Trivia

Marshall was involved in one of the most embarrassing moments in professional sports history on October 25, 1964. In a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Marshall recovered a fumble, but ran 66 yards with it the wrong way, into his own end zone. Thinking that he had scored a touchdown for the Vikings, Marshall then threw the ball away in celebration. The ball landed out of bounds, resulting in a safety for the 49ers. Fortunately for Marshall, his Vikings won the game 27-22, in part because of a key sack and fumble he forced after his miscue. Marshall later received a letter from Roy Riegels reading "Welcome to the club". [Marshall's claim during his appearance on "I've Got A Secret" following the incident] While playing for the University of California, Riegels was tagged with the nickname "Wrong Way" after making a similar blunder in the 1929 Rose Bowl. Unlike Marshall's mistake, Riegels' run cost his team dearly; the two points scored from the ensuing safety off of the blocked punt proved to be the margin of defeat in an 8-7 loss.

Jim Marshall is a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.

External links

* [http://www.thefootballsearchengine.com/JimMarshall/facts/ Facts, Stories and Accomplishments of Jim Marshall]
* [http://www.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/?p=145 Yesterday's News] 1971 interview with Marshall after he survived blizzard that killed fellow snowmobiler
* [http://www.thefootballsearchengine.com/JimMarshall/facts/#SI Old Indestructible, Jim Marshall of the Vikings, retires after 302 straight games] Sports Illustrated - Dec. 24 - 31, 1979

References