Minnesota Vikings legend Jim Marshall died Tuesday after a “lengthy hospitalization,” the group introduced.
He was 87.
Referred to as “The Captain,” Marshall joined the Vikings of their inaugural season in 1961 after being traded to Minnesota from the Browns after his rookie season.
The defensive finish would then play 270 straight video games over 19 seasons with the Vikings, setting an NFL report that stood for 3 a long time till quarterback Brett Favre broke it in 2009.
By no means lacking a sport, Marshall was a headliner amongst Minnesota’s iconic “Purple People Eaters” protection.
“The entire Minnesota Vikings organization is mourning the loss of Jim Marshall. No player in Vikings history lived the ideals of toughness, camaraderie and passion more than the all-time iron man,” mentioned Vikings president Mark Wilf, Vikings proprietor Zygi Wilf and the Wilf household possession group in an announcement.
“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.”
Marshall was a group captain for 14 seasons, a two-time Professional Bowler and performed in all 4 of the franchise’s Tremendous Bowl appearances.
He gained an NFL Championship in 1969 within the remaining season earlier than the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
Whereas sacks weren’t an official statistic all through Marshall’s 20 years within the league, Professional Soccer Reference credited him for 130.5 sacks, which ranked third on the time of his retirement and would at present tie him at twenty second in league historical past.
“Jim led by example, and there was no finer example for others to follow,” the Wilf household continued of their assertion. “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.”
