“Many times people ask coaches who their greatest player was. It’s normally very hard to choose, but I don’t hesitate to say Jim Marshall.” - Bud GrantLongtime Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall had a great career. During Marshall's two decade career beginning in 1960, Marshall played in a record 282 consecutive regular season games (270 consecutive starts), recovered a record 30 fumbles, recorded 127 sacks, played in four Super Bowls and was a part of one of the most daunting defenses of all time.
Although he is not yet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his #70 has been retired by the Vikings. Hall of Fame Vikings like John Randle, Paul Krause, Ron Yary, Randall McDaniel and Chris Doleman haven't had their numbers retired. Jim Marshall is one of the most beloved Vikings of all time.
But, unfortunately, he is remembered for one play that occurred the afternoon of October 25th, 1964. In a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Marshall recovered a Billy Kilmer fumble. But, he picked it up he ran 66 yards into the wrong end zone. He threw the ball out of bounds, celebrating what he thought was a touchdown, only to realize he had scored a safety against his own team.
"My first inkling that something was wrong was when a 49er player (Bruce Bosley) gave me a hug in the end zone," Marshall later recalled.
The safety cut the Vikings lead to 27-19. What a lot of people don't remember is that the Vikings scored what would be the deciding touchdown on a Carl Eller touchdown when he ran a fumble recovered by...you guessed it...Marshall into the end zone for a 45 yard score.
The Vikings would be the 49ers 27-22, but people will always remember Marshall for a :10 second, two point mistake...not the 20 years and arguably Hall of Fame worthy career that he had.
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