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Jim Marshall, Hall of Fame Ohio State DE, dies at 87
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Jim Marshall, a former Ohio State defensive end and one of the best Minnesota Vikings in franchise history, has passed away at the age of 87 after a lengthy hospitalization, the Vikings announced on Tuesday.
Before his legendary NFL career, Marshall starred for Ohio State in 1957 and 1958, leading the Buckeyes to a pair of top 10 finishes along the defensive line and a championship in 1957 (as well as a Rose Bowl victory). In addition to being an All-American, Marshall was a track star at Ohio State. He was inducted into the Ohio State Hall of Fame in 1978.
Marshall was selected in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns after a stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL.
But while it was the Browns who drafted him, Marshall wrote the majority of his story with the Minnesota Vikings as a member of Minnesota’s famed “Purple People Eaters” defensive front. Known for his insane toughness, Marshall owns the career records for most consecutive starts and games played for a defensive player.
The Vikings reached 4 Super Bowls in the 1970s, but Marshall and Co. were unable to cross the finish line and lost all 4. Marshall was, however, an NFL champion in 1969, the final season before the NFL/AFL merger.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.