Jim Marshall was a big part of the Vikings success in the 60s and 70s. The Vikings organization thinks it is time for him to take his place in Canton.
The Minnesota Vikings defensive line in the late 1960s and 1970s was every quarterback’s worst nightmare. Because of that reputation, a lasting nickname was earned by this unit.
They were called the Purple People Eaters across the league. These players created a lot of post season success for the Vikings during this time period.
Jim Marshall was a crucial part of the Purple People Eaters at the defensive end position. In an interview with PFT Live on Tuesday, owner and president Mark Wilf expressed that the Minnesota Vikings organization is going to make a push to get Jim Marshall into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Minnesota Vikings
Marshall made an excellent case for himself during his impressive 19-year career with the Vikings. Most noteworthy is that he played in six Pro Bowls and recovered 30 fumbles which is still an NFL record to this day.
In addition to those accomplishments, he is unfortunately famous for holding the record for the shortest play in the NFL. This happened in 1964 when he recovered a fumble and ran the wrong way for 66 yards with the ball.
He will become the third member of the Purple People Eaters inducted into the Hall of Fame if selected. The other two he would be joining are Carl Eller and Alan Page. The Vikings making this push will get them one step closer to getting this iconic unit the national respect they deserve.
The last Minnesota Viking to be inducted into the Hall of Fame who played the bulk of his career with the team is Mick Tingelhoff. He played center for the Vikings from 1962 to 1978. Mick was part of the 2015 Hall of Fame class.
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Ironically he played his entire Vikings career with Jim Marshall so hopefully that means Canton is carefully picking players from that great Vikings era and already have eyes on Marshall.