The Minnesota Vikings are announcing the passing of one of the team's all-time great players on Tuesday. Purple People Eater and one of the NFL's great "ironmen" Jim Marshall has died. Marshall was 87.
His death comes after a long hospitalization as he battled health issues.
Marshall, a native of Kentucky, came to Minnesota in 1961, just as the franchise began play. He played collegiately at Ohio State and began his pro career in the Canadian Football League, much like his future head coach with the Vikings, Bud Grant.
He ended up in Cleveland then was traded to the Vikings in 1961. It was there that his legendary career took off.
Marshall anchored the defensive line - those famed "Purple People Eaters" - and played from 1961 to 1979 with the Vikings. He finished with a then-record 282 consecutive games played, a number since surpassed by punter Jeff Feagles, far from the phsyical confrontations seen in the trenches.
At the time of his retirement in 1979, Marshall had played in every game in Vikings history. Marshall is also one of 11 players to have played in all four of the Vikings' Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s.
Marshall spent his entire post-career life in Minnesota, residing in St. Louis Park. He was married twice and has two daughters.
Marshall's No. 70 has been retired by the Vikings and he is a member of the team's Ring of Honor.