EAGAN, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota Vikings announced on Tuesday that former defensive end Jim Marshall had died after a long hospitalization for an undisclosed illness. He was 87.
Marshall was one of the four members of the legendary Purple People Eaters defensive line that was the defensive core of four Super Bowl teams.
Marshall played 19 of his 20 seasons in the NFL with Minnesota, setting a league record for position players with 282 consecutive games played, a mark that was held until Brett Favre broke it while playing for the Vikings in 2010.
Marshall’s death was announced by the Vikings on Tuesday on behalf of his wife, Susan.
