The 30 greatest Minnesota Vikings players of all-time

All-time Greatest Minnesota Vikings: No. 18 – Jim Marshall

When talking about the “Purple People Eaters”, it’s hard not to mention the contribution of Jim Marshall, who was a fourth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns out of Ohio State in 1960 before being traded to the Vikings for the franchise’s first season.

Marshall was the NFL’s prime example of an iron man, playing in 282 consecutive games and starting 270 consecutive contests (two NFL records that would later be broken by Jeff Feagles and Brett Favre) and proved to be a consistent force in the stellar defensive unit.

Despite most statistics like tackles and sacks not being officially recorded during Marshall’s NFL career, he did accumulate 30 fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown during his career, adding one interception during his 20 years in the league.

The bruising defensive end was the last man standing from the Vikings’ first season in the NFL and played in all four of the team’s Super Bowl appearances. Because of that, it’s no surprise that Minnesota retired his No. 70 jersey, placed him in the team’s Ring of Honor, and he named him one of the 50 Greatest Vikings.

– AC