Perhaps the most famous play of Jim Marshall's career was one in which he ran the wrong way.
However, for the majority of two decades in the NFL, Marshall did things the right way.
One of the league's all-time ironmen, Marshall started 270 consecutive games, was a celebrated member of the Minnesota Vikings' vaunted Purple People Eaters defensive line and played in four Super Bowls for the squad.
The Vikings great died on Tuesday following a long hospitalization, the team announced. He was 87.
"The entire Minnesota Vikings organization is mourning the loss of Jim Marshall," Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf, Vikings owner/chairman Zygi Wilf and the Wilf family ownership group said in a joint statement.
"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."
Marshall played in the NFL from 1960 through 1979, debuting with the Cleveland Browns before playing 19 seasons with the Vikings. He was a two-time Pro Bowler who played in 282 games with an unofficial 130.5 sacks, per Pro Football Reference. His most memorable -- and dubious play -- 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.
His 282 consecutive games played is the third-longest streak all time, trailing just punter Jeff Feagles (352) and Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre (299), according to NFL Research. His 270 consecutive starts are the most ever by a defensive player and his 19 seasons with the Vikings are fifth all time with one team.
The Vikings announced Marshall's passing on behalf of his wife Susan. A celebration of life will be scheduled.
A member of the Ohio State Hall of Fame, Marshall left school early and played in the Canadian Football League in 1959.
He was then selected in the 1960 AFL Draft -- which was conducted by drawing names out of a box -- by the Houston Oilers, and taken 44th overall by the Browns in the NFL draft. Marshall started seven games and played in 12 as a rookie. The defensive end was traded to the Vikings after that season, joining the franchise in its inaugural year.
Marshall was the embodiment of the toughness and ruggedness that forged the Vikings of the 1960s-1970s, enduring harsh winter games at Metropolitan Stadium. He was just the same a symbol of the construction of an NFL expansion team into a perennial champion.
From 1968 through 1978, Marshall and Minnesota advanced to the postseason 10 times in 11 seasons, collecting 10 NFC Central Division titles and a quartet of Super Bowl berths. Unfortunately for Marshall and Co., each Super Bowl trip ended short of a victory, with losses to the Kansas City Chiefs (Super Bowl IV), Miami Dolphins (VIII), Pittsburgh Steelers (IX) and Oakland Raiders (XI).
Along the way, Marshall became a member of one of the most vaunted defensive units -- and memorable nicknames -- in NFL chronicle.
Marshall, Hall of Famers Alan Page and Carl Eller and Gary Larsen combined to form a ravenous defensive front that referred to itself as the "Purple Gang." It was the "Purple People Eaters" nickname that most would refer to them as, though. The group later saw Doug Sutherland replace Larsen.
Marshall was a back-to-back Pro Bowler in 1968-1969, combining for an unofficial 24 sacks in those season, per PFR. He had four seasons with double-digit sacks according to PFR. He also had 30 fumble recoveries in his career.
His NFL career began in 1960 at the age of 23 and concluded after the 1979 campaign -- his age-42 season.
Marshall was made for the harsh Minnesota winters, able to endure and thrive as the Vikings sailed to NFL and NFC dominance during his time.
