Ohio State mourns the loss of one of its greatest football alumni and defining players of Woody Hayes' tenure

In 1958, he earned first-team All-American and All-Big Ten honors as a tackle, displaying his versatility in a memorable 14-14 tie against Purdue, where he scored both of Ohio State’s touchdowns via a punt return and an interception return. 

Marshall also excelled in track and field, setting Ohio State records in the discus and shot put, cementing his status as one of the university’s most gifted athletes.

Legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes, known for his exacting standards, praised Marshall’s toughness and leadership. 

In a 1958 interview, Hayes remarked, “Jim Marshall is the kind of player who gives everything he’s got every play. He’s a leader who makes everyone around him better, and that’s what Buckeye football is all about.” 

Hayes later reflected on Marshall’s impact in a 1970s interview with The Columbus Dispatch, saying, “Jim was a cornerstone of our championship team. His heart and determination were unmatched, and I knew he’d carry that to the pros.”

After his stellar Buckeye career, Marshall played one season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1960. 

Traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1961, he embarked on a 19-year tenure with the franchise, becoming a linchpin of the famed “Purple People Eaters” defensive line alongside Carl Eller, Gary Larsen, and Alan Page. Marshall started 270 consecutive regular-season games, a record for defensive players, and appeared in four Super Bowls during the 1970s. 

His durability, a trait honed at Ohio State, earned him two Pro Bowl selections and a lasting legacy as a Vikings captain for 14 consecutive seasons.

Despite his achievements, Marshall is also remembered for a notorious 1964 play when he returned a fumble 66 yards into his own end zone for a safety against the San Francisco 49ers. 

He took the mistake in stride, later joking, “I thought I’d take us to Hawaii instead of Minnesota,” as recounted in a Minneapolis Star interview. His ability to laugh off the blunder reflected the resilience instilled during his Buckeye days.

Off the field, Marshall’s Ohio State roots remained strong. After retiring from the NFL in 1979 at nearly 42 years old, he settled in Minnesota, working in business and real estate while co-founding a foundation with former teammate Oscar Reed to support youth experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis. 

His commitment to community echoed the values of leadership and service championed by Hayes and the Buckeye program.

Ohio State fans and alumni mourn the loss of one of their own, a player who embodied the spirit of Buckeye toughness. Marshall’s legacy, from his All-American days in Columbus to his ironman career in Minnesota, remains an inspiration. A celebration of his life is planned, with details forthcoming.