For anyone who also felt grief in saying farewell to The Captain, please know you are not alone.
We'll continue to celebrate his legacy.
**"We'll meet at the quarterback." I watched Jim Marshall since 1968 — the Vikings first division title.**
**Then, in 1969, a powerhouse was born. The Purple Gang was getting respect. The captain of that defense was Jim Marshall. 1969: 133 points allowed; 1970: 143 points allowed; 1971: 139 points allowed. Just about 9 points allowed per game. Everybody credits the great Alan Page, the great Carl Eller. But there were two more guys on that defense: Gary Larsen and Jim Marshall — 130 sacks. Jim was just not a great pass rusher. He was a great pursuit guy. He never gave up on a play. Many times I would see him run down Roger Staubach 15-20 yards down the field. This man was why Bud Grant said when God was making defensive ends, he made Jim Marshall! There would be no Purple Gang without Jim Marshall. Please put him where he belongs — in the Hall of Fame. For 57 years I've been watching the Vikings, and it's been fun.**
**(Note: The following part of this message was sent on Tuesday, a couple of hours before Marshall's passing was announced, but I'm including it, as well.)**
**I'm an old-school guy. I've always liked the 4-man fronts on the defense. With the signing of the two defensive tackles in free agency are we going to see Brian Flores use more 4-man fronts? Also is there still a chance for Jim Marshall to get into the Hall of Fame? 130 sacks, never missed a start. What more could Jim have done? Thanks,**
I consider Jim's exclusion from the Pro Football Hall of Fame an egregious oversight. I haven't been able to figure out the reason why. Some say lack of Super Bowl success, but there are Super Bowl-era players who made the Hall of Fame without ever playing for a Lombardi Trophy.
Some say that it was because he only played in two Pro Bowls, but they leave out the fact that Marshall ranked third in career sacks behind Deacon Jones and Carl Eller at the time of his retirement (and that he was competing with both of those players for a DE spot). Maybe if sacks had been an official stat before 1982, Jim would already have a bust in Canton, Ohio.
I'm not giving up on trying to state his case.
If he's eventually enshrined by the Senior Committee, which he should have been a long time ago, it will make the Hall of Fame more complete. It's a great place, and I'm grateful to have visited twice to cover enshrinements of Mick Tingelhoff and Steve Hutchinson, but it is incomplete without Marshall.
Every Viking who has been enshrined from that era says Marshall was the most important Viking, and each credited Marshall for making everyone on the team better.
There is a certain standard of play by Vikings defensive linemen that is central to the identity of this franchise, whether referred to as the Purple Gang (Marshall, Eller, Alan Page, Gary Larsen and later Doug Sutherland liked that name) or the Purple People Eaters. Jim set the pace for some of the most dominant defenses in NFL history.
Which brings us to this year's group. Flores has been building out 3-4 personnel but will continue to be multiple in the way he attacks opponents. The additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are projected to enable the Vikings to attack QBs on early downs to create advantages for third downs.
When players arrive and leave Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, they walk past the [Jim Marshall Vikings Captains Legacy display](https://www.vikings.com/news/2024-captains-named-jim-marshall-legacy-display-unveiled), which was installed in 2024 and serves as an inspiring reminder of what can be accomplished.