Legendary Minnesota Vikings ‘Purple People Eater’ Jim Marshall Passed Away
His durability and availability was always on display and he was one of the league’s all-time ironmen. In fact he played in 270 consecutive regular-season starts for Minnesota. Aside from his tremendous prowess on the football field he also possessed an endearing and generous personality. And was well-loved and praised by the Minnesota fans. And so it was with heavy hearts that the Vikings announced that legendary Minnesota Vikings ‘Purple People Eater’ Jim Marshall passed away at the age of 87, following a lengthy hospitalization.
The Purple People Eaters was the nickname given to the defensive line of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1977. It consisted mainly of Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and Gary Larsen. That group played a major role in the post-season success of the Vikings from the late 1960s through the 1970s. Marshall arrived in Minnesota in September 1961 after a trade with Cleveland. In Week 1 he forced two interceptions by creating QB pressures in his debut. He went on to have a record-setting career and played in four Super Bowls for the squad.
Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf, Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf and the Wilf family ownership group issued the following statement:
“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. 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.”
Legendary Minnesota Vikings ‘Purple People Eater’ Jim Marshall Passed Away
Marshall may be best known for a famous blunder he made. It was the “wrong way run” in which he went 66 yards into his own end zone against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 25, 1964. The play resulted in a safety, but Minnesota still won the game, 27-22. But don’t let that one mistake fool you. Marshall played 19 seasons with the Vikings after spending a year in Cleveland. He was a two-time Pro Bowler who played in 282 games with an unofficial 130.5 sacks, per Pro Football Reference.
Former Vikings quarterback, Fran Tarkenton, gave a nice summation of what Marshall meant to the Vikings. “Jim Marshall set the tone for how this franchise goes today,” Tarkenton said. “We had the Purple People Eaters. They were the foundation of who we are. The leader of the band was Jim Marshall.”
Our thoughts are with the Marshall family and friends during this difficult time, R.I.P. Jim Marshall.
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