10 greatest Minnesota Vikings of all time

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 2: Defensive tackle Alan Page #88 and defensive end Carl Eller #81 of the Minnesota Vikings watch from the sideline during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium on December 2, 1973 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Vikings 27-0. (Photo by Clifton Boutelle/Getty Images) /

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PASADENA, CA- JANUARY 9: Jim Marshall #70 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the bench against the Oakland Raiders during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Raiders won the Super Bowl 32 -14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

9. Jim Marshall, DE

This franchise has its share of defensive linemen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Two members are part of the fabled “Purple People Eaters” in Alan Page and end Carl Eller. In 2010, John Randle joined the fraternity in Canton, Ohio and when it comes to 2021, standout defensive tackle Kevin Williams will be eligible for the first time.

There’s been more than one suggestion that end Jim Marshall should get strong consideration as well and that his election is long overdue. His final season in the league was back in 1979.

Originally a second-round draft choice by the Cleveland Browns in 1960, he was dealt to Minnesota the following year and embarked on quite a career that included all four Super Bowl appearances with the franchise. He would play and start 270 regular-season games over a 19-year span, never once missing a contest with the Vikings.

The former Ohio State Buckeye is credited with 127 sacks during his 19 seasons with the franchise, according to the franchise (via Vikings.com). Those were the day before individual sacks were an official NFL statistic.

Of course, there’s also the fabled fumble recovery vs. the 49ers in which Marshall picked up the ball and ran the wrong way and scored a safety for San Francisco. Perhaps one day voters will have him headed in the right direction in terms of Canton, Ohio.

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