Vikings' 'all-time iron man' Marshall dies at 87

EAGAN, Minn. -- Longtime Minnesota Vikings antiaircraft extremity Jim Marshall, who for decades held the NFL grounds for astir consecutive games played, died Tuesday aft a agelong hospitalization, according to the team. He was 87.

Marshall joined the Vikings successful their inaugural play successful 1961 and played successful each crippled thereafter. His grounds of 282 consecutive games played (270 with the Vikings), which helium established upon retiring successful 1979, stood until backmost Brett Favre broke it -- portion besides successful a Vikings azygous -- successful 2009.

Marshall attended a Vikings signifier that play to congratulate Favre and said astatine the time: "I told him I admired his vocation and was truly blessed that helium was the 1 that is breaking that record."

Marshall gained a imperishable spot successful NFL Films lore successful 1964 erstwhile helium returned a fumble the incorrect mode successful a crippled against the San Francisco 49ers, celebrating what helium thought was a touchdown but alternatively was scored a safety. But his vocation accomplishments acold outweighed that gaffe.

He was a Vikings skipper for 14 seasons and appeared successful 4 Super Bowls arsenic portion of the franchise's famed Purple People Eaters defense. Although sacks did not go an authoritative statistic until 1982, a probe task coordinated by Pro Football Reference credited him with 130.5, which would necktie him for No. 22 successful NFL history.

"The full Minnesota Vikings enactment is mourning the nonaccomplishment of Jim Marshall. No subordinate successful Vikings past lived the ideals of toughness, camaraderie and passionateness much than the all-time robust man," Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said successful a statement.

"A cornerstone of the franchise from the beginning, Captain Jim's unmatched durability and quiescent enactment earned the respect of teammates and opponents passim his 20-year career. Jim led by example, and determination was nary finer illustration for others to follow. His interaction connected the Vikings was felt agelong aft helium near the field. Jim volition ever beryllium remembered arsenic a tremendous subordinate and person. Our hearts are with his wife, Susan, and each of Jim's loved ones."