Purple People Eater, Jim Marshall, has died

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EAGAN, Minn. -- Longtime Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall, who for decades held the NFL record for most consecutive games played, died Tuesday after a long hospitalization, according to the team. He was 87.

Marshall joined the Vikings in their inaugural season in 1961 and played in every game thereafter. His record of 282 consecutive games played (270 with the Vikings), which he established upon retiring in 1979, stood until quarterback Brett Favre broke it -- while also in a Vikings uniform -- in 2009.

Marshall attended a Vikings practice that season to congratulate Favre and said at the time: "I told him I admired his career and was really happy that he was the one that is breaking that record."

Marshall gained a permanent place in NFL Films lore in 1964 when he returned a fumble the wrong way in a game against the San Francisco 49ers, celebrating what he thought was a touchdown but instead was a safety. But his career accomplishments far outweighed that gaffe.

Marshall remains the NFL career record-holder, now tied with Jason Taylor, for opponent fumbles recovered with 29.

He was a Vikings captain for 14 seasons and appeared in four Super Bowls as part of the franchise's famed Purple People Eaters defense. Although sacks did not become an official statistic until 1982, a research project coordinated by Pro Football Reference credited him with 130.5, which would tie him for No. 22 in NFL history. Two other Purple People Eaters rank ahead of him: Alan Page (148.5) is eighth, and Carl Eller (133.5) is tied for 18th.

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