Jim Marshall (defensive end)

Jim Marshall
Marshall, c. 1970
No. 64, 80, 70
PositionDefensive end
Personal information
Born(1937-12-30)December 30, 1937
Wilsonville, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedJune 3, 2025(2025-06-03) (aged 87)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High schoolEast (Columbus, Ohio)
CollegeOhio State (1956–1958)
NFL draft1960: 4th round, 44th overall pick
AFL draft1960
Career history
Awards and highlights
NFL records
  • Most consecutive games played with one team: 270
  • Most consecutive starts by a defensive player: 270
Career NFL statistics
Sacks130.5
Safeties1
Fumble recoveries30
Interceptions1
Interception yards30
Defensive touchdowns1
Games played282
Games started277
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James Lawrence Marshall (December 30, 1937 – June 3, 2025) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. He recovered an NFL career-record 29 opponents' fumbles. He also holds the league career marks for most consecutive starts (270) and most games played (282) by a defensive player. The Vikings retired his No. 70, and he was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor.

Marshall played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, before leaving to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 1960 NFL draft. Marshall played one season with the Browns before being traded to the Vikings. In 1964, he recovered a fumble and returned it 66 yards in the wrong direction into the Vikings' end zone, where he threw the ball out of bounds, resulting in a safety for the opposition San Francisco 49ers.