1. Jim Marshall runs the wrong way
Jim Marshall has been a borderline Pro Football Hall of Famer for years. He was a prominent piece in the Minnesota Vikings Purple People Eaters defensive line in the 1960s and 1970s. Marshall holds two NFL records: most career fumble recoveries (30) and shortest play in NFL history (-66) yards. Both were prominent pieces in the worst play in NFL history.
The Vikings were playing the San Francisco 49ers on October 25th, 1964. 49ers wide receiver Billy Kilmer would fumble the football. Marshall would pick it up and run to the end zone untouched. The only problem was that it was the 49ers’ end zone.
Yes, Marshall ran the football 66 yards in the wrong direction for a 49ers safety. Marshall was so excited that he threw the football in the air in celebration that he scored a defensive touchdown for the Vikings.
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His Vikings head coach Norm Van Brocklin would say to Marshall after this play, “Jim, you did the most interesting thing in this game today.” Despite giving the 49ers two points on a fumble recovery for a safety, the Vikings would still win the game 27-22.