Former Vikes Defensive Lineman Jim Marshall Dead At 87

(Minnesota News Network- Minneapolis, MN) — Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jim Marshall is dead at 87 years old. The Purple announced the news on social media yesterday. Marshall spent 19 of his 20 professional seasons with Minnesota from 1961-to-1979. He played 270 consecutive games for the team and served as a captain for 14 straight seasons. Marshall is a member of the franchise’s Ring of Honor and his jersey number-70 is retired. He was also known for “the Wrong Way Run” in which he recovered a fumble in a game against the San Francisco 49ers and ran into his own team’s end zone leading to a safety for the Niners. Marshall is generally regarded as the “heart and soul” of the team’s great run of the 1970’s.

(Photo credit- MN Vikings @vikings)