Hall of Fame Snubs Jim Marshall Again
Janik Eckardt
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One of the greatest Vikings of all time once again fails to make the Hall of Fame. The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee announced its 12 finalists for the prestigious honor, and Jim Marshall’s name was missing.
Marshall was part of the 25 semi-finalists but missed the cut to the final 12. A maximum of three finalists will be on the Hall of Fame ballot.
A valuable member of the ‘Purple People Eaters,’ Marshall played for the organization in their first game in 1961 until his last NFL game in 1979. He made 270 consecutive starts for the Vikings. His accolades are two Pro Bowls and three times second-team All-Pro, but his value for the organization goes far beyond awards. He was the leader of one of the most dominant teams ever. The Vikings traded for the Cleveland Browns’ defensive end in 1961, the best trade they have ever made. Neither injuries nor anything else could stop him from dressing up and playing for his Vikings on Sundays.
Marshall played in all four of the Vikings Super Bowl appearances, unfortunately without winning one. However, he was the leader of the defense. A defense that was nicknamed ‘The Purple People Eaters’ and featured defensive players of the year Alan Page and Carl Eller. Gary Larsen was ´the Policeman´ in the middle.
Despite his great teammates next to him, Marshall was the unquestioned leader of the bunch. His 127 sacks still rank second among all Vikings players, only trailing Carl Eller. Eller and Page are already members of the Hall of Fame.
No other player will ever wear the Vikings jersey with the number 70 again, as the franchise retired his jersey. He is also a member of the Ring of Honor.
His long-time head coach Bud Grant, a Hall of Famer, is still raving about his former player.
If you put out a magazine on the 50 greatest Vikings, Jim Marshall would be on the cover. He is the greatest Viking of all time, and not just because he played all the time, but how he played. On Tuesday, he might have an ankle so swollen you were surprised he was able to walk, and on Sunday he would play, and play well. I would say it’s an injustice that Marshall’s not in the Hall of Fame, but it goes way beyond that.
Bud Grant, about Jim Marshall
There won’t ever be another Jim Marshall in the Vikings organization or the NFL. He is football immortality, no matter his Hall of Fame status. His durability and continued play at a very high level, combined with leadership and membership of the famous ‘Purple People Eaters,’ should be enough to ensure him a spot in Canton, Ohio.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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