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'Tough as nails': Brett Favre pays tribute to Vikings legend Jim Marshall

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 12:03 AM ET

In September of 2009, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre was in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings. Already a sure-fire Hall of Famer due to his success with Green Bay, Favre looked to add to his resume playing for his long-time rival. And doing so meant the opportunity to break an NFL record held by one of the most respected players in Vikings history.

Early that year, Favre started his 271st consecutive game, breaking the record of 270 that had been set by long-time Minnesota defensive end Jim Marshall. The two-time Pro Bowler was not in attendance for the game the day Favre broke his record because it happened to fall on his wedding anniversary. However, as he lived in Minneapolis, he stopped by the facilities to congratulate Favre in person a few days afterwards.

Minnesota Vikings Legend Jim Marshall Passed Away on Tuesday

Dec 11, 1976; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall (70) against the Miami Dolphins at the Orange Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, it was reported that Marshall, who was one of just four players to appear in each of Minnesota’s four Super Bowl appearances, had passed away. He was 82 and the first member of the Purple People Eaters defense to pass on.

His death followed a long hospitalization.

It can be argued that Marshall is the best player in NFL history that is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While Favre broke his consecutive games record, he still holds multiple records despite the fact that his playing career ended in 1979.

These records include:

Most opponents’ fumbles recovered (29)
Most fumble recoveries by a defensive end (30)
Most NFL seasons by a defensive player (20)
Most consecutive regular season games played by a defensive player (282)
Most consecutive games played (including playoffs) by a defensive player (289)
Most consecutive regular season games started by a defensive player (270)

And while these numbers are impressive, especially the number of consecutive starts, what may be the most impressive is that Marshall, who played 20 full seasons in the NFL, never missed a single game.

The only five games in which he did not start happened in 1960, his rookie year, when he played his long season with the Cleveland Browns.

Brett Favre Paid Tribute to Jim Marshall on X

Dec 20, 2010; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. The Bears defeated the Vikings 40-14.Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Upon hearing of Marshall’s passing, Favre, the only player to have started and played more consecutive games than Marshall, posted the following tribute on X:

“Man, I’ll never forget the day I got to meet Jim Marshall — one of the true original Iron Men of the NFL. Tough as nails, played 282 consecutive games as a defensive end… in an era when the game was as gritty and raw as it gets.

“Growing up watching guys like Jim, I learned what it meant to show up every single Sunday, no matter what. To have had the chance to shake his hand — and even play in front of him — was a real honor. Guys like Jim paved the way. They didn’t ask for attention, they earned respect with every snap.

“I tried to bring that same mindset to the field every week. My condolences go out to him and his family — but he’s certainly a legend among legends.”

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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