Posted on 06/03/2025 5:43:06 PM PDT by OneVike
EAGAN, Minn. — When Jim Marshall wrapped his final home game at Metropolitan Stadium in December 1979, he was encouraged to address the fans.
He humbly said, "I just hope I've given you as many thrills as you fans have given me. Thank you."
Marshall then placed his helmet back on his head and jogged to teammates. They enveloped him with hugs and pats before Scott Studwell and Doug Sutherland hoisted him into the air for another thrill ride off the field.
It was the 269th of 270 consecutive regular-season starts for Minnesota by Marshall, whose record-setting career certainly featured thrills over 20 NFL seasons, including the first 19 in Vikings history.
He gave everything he had at every step, fostering a Vikings identity hallmarked by a relentless pursuit that took the team from fledgling to formidable.
It's why if you ask anyone who has worn the Purple, he'll tell you the epic story of the Vikings — and the NFL — simply cannot be written without including Marshall's contributions.
Known affectionately as "The Captain" or "Captain Jim" — or "Mis-ter Mar-shall" if the addressor was legendary Head Coach Bud Grant — Marshall started every game for the entirety of the Vikings franchise's first two decades.
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.
Another childhood hero has gone home to the Lord.
Indeed. A travesty his not being in the Hall. I hope it isn’t because of one stupid play.
1964 vs. 49ers. He intercepted a ball and ran it the wrong way for a touchback.
It was a fumble recovery.
What many do not realize, is later in the same game he returned another fumble for A TD, but they only remember the safety he scored for the 49ers.
Did the pall bearers take the casket in the wrong direction?
And it was a safety for the 49ers, not a touchback.
Jim Marshall was one of the last Vikings to play in a Super Bowl as a Viking. He was also one of the first.
Thanks for the memories!
RIP to one of the greatest linemen ever.
congratulations to all Viking fans for having had such a great man and example, leading such a ferocious d-line for so many years. the GB Packers sure know how good they were. unbelievable that he is not already in the HOF.
IIRC The Vikings won that game something like 40-8.
I had a game called VCR Quaterback. That play was on the tape.
Poor guy remembered for 1 mistake. It pails I’m comparison to Buckner, which still wasn’t as big as they say it is.
Well at least he did win one NFL Championship.
Yes, but again people who remember it, or report on sports shows about it only report on the safety he scored for the other team.
Very true, the last NFL championship ever played he won.
He and others of his time made football fun in a way I don’t see any longer. The game has changed, or maybe I have.
I was 27 to 22. I was listening to the game on the radio.
On one cold October Sunday afternoon in northern Minnesota, I was out deer hunting with my dad. Our strategy was simple: stand silently in one place until a deer walked by, and then shoot it. In my entire history of deer hunting, I never even saw one, much less shot one.
After standing, freezing for several hours we had agreed to meet back at the car for warming up. My dad started the car and turned on the radio (our first car that actually had a radio in it.) The Vikings game was on. Our warmup just happened to be at the same time that Marshall made his infamous wrong way run. I still remember the announcer yell: “He’s running the wrong way!”
I miss Flokie.
A classic memory you must have cherished for years
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