One of the most memorable moments in NFL history involves Jim Marshall, a player known for his exceptional skills and resilience. On October 25, 1964, during a game in San Francisco, Marshall made a fumble recovery that would become a notorious chapter in his career—the infamous wrong-way run. After recovering the fumble, Marshall inadvertently ran 66 yards into the end zone that the Minnesota Vikings were defending, resulting in a safety for the opposing team, the San Francisco 49ers. This unintended blunder has followed him throughout his career and beyond. In a candid reflection in 1999, Marshall expressed his feelings about the play: “That is something I would rather forget, although it’s not going to happen. In the years that I spent playing football, trying to play the best I could play, to have all that overshadowed by one play … it’s not the ideal situation.”
Despite the infamous wrong-way run, Jim Marshall's legacy with the Vikings remains untarnished. His contributions to the team were monumental, and he was a true leader on and off the field. Fred Zamberletti, the Vikings’ first trainer, who passed away in 2018, acknowledged Marshall's impact, stating, “Marshall would take care of problems for Bud. They throw around the term ‘leader’ in sports. Marshall was the true leader of the Vikings.”
Vikings' coach Bud Grant recognized Marshall's leadership potential early on. When he took the reins of the team in 1967, one of his most astute decisions was to name Marshall as a team captain, despite it being Marshall's eighth season in the NFL. Grant believed that without this pivotal leadership role, his vision for the Vikings might not have flourished. “I think I’ve had nine lives already, but the very nature of my life makes these close calls happen,” Marshall once remarked, reflecting on his tumultuous journey both on and off the field.
Marshall's life outside of football was marked by challenges, including a significant incident in 1991 when he was arrested in Duluth for possessing over 57 grams of cocaine. He faced the consequences head-on, entering rehab, pleading guilty, and serving his sentence, which included home arrest and 3,000 hours of community service. Through this difficult period, Marshall found unwavering support from his former teammates, the Vikings organization, and his wife, Susan Landwehr Marshall, whom he married in 2008.
Marshall credited Susan for helping him navigate through depression, a condition exacerbated by the chronic pain he endured as a former NFL ironman. In a heartfelt tribute in 2017, he described her as “like an angel from heaven.” He added, “I call her my angel all the time. She makes sure I take my pills and do my exercises and get out of the house. She even thinks of things to trick me into getting out of the house.”
Born on December 30, 1937, in Danville, Kentucky, Jim Marshall faced adversity early on when he lost his mother, Ann, at the age of 17. However, his passion for football and his determination to succeed propelled him forward, ultimately leading him to a remarkable career in the NFL. Marshall's journey from a young boy in Kentucky to a celebrated Vikings player serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and leadership in sports.
