EAGAN, Minn. — The legacy of Jim Marshall will live on forever.

While writing this intro, it feels surreal that Marshall, a true iron man who started 270 consecutive games for the Minnesota Vikings, has passed away at the age of 87.

Known to many who played alongside him as just "The Captain," Marshall symbolized invincibility to teammates, coaches, fans and opponents. He combined joy on and off the field with a generous and enduring spirit.

Vikings Legends who teamed with Marshall and those who shared in the identity he helped create for the franchise reacted to the news.

Carl Eller

"Jim Marshall is not dead. He is alive in my heart and in my soul, and he will always be my friend. He was inspirational to our team. Every week, he was ready to go. That's what everybody looked for and waited for. And sometimes, just a minute before a game, he would show up and say, 'Let's go, let's do it.' I love Jim Marshall."

Eller played on the opposite end of the Purple People Eaters from Marshall, teaming together from 1964-78.

Fran Tarkenton

"There's no question Jim Marshall was the most important player in the history of Minnesota Vikings football. He set the standard of what a Minnesota Vikings player should be. He is the poster guy for every Vikings player since 1961. He never missed a practice or a game in 19 years with the Vikings. It's a shame he's not in the Hall of Fame because he is a Hall of Famer. They should have a great big statue of Jim Marshall at the Vikings stadium. He was one of the greatest human beings that ever lived."

Tarkenton teamed with Marshall in the franchise's fledgling days (1961-66) and again in some of the most glorious days (1972-78).

John Randle

Vikings Legend John Randle shared a photo of himself and Marshall together at U.S. Bank Stadium and noted the personal impact Marshall made.

On Wednesday, Randle opened the Minnesota Vikings Foundation Golf Tournament by addressing the golfers with kind words about Marshall, and the group observed a moment of silence.

"Jim was not just another Viking. He was a guy who would help me immensely on and off the field. And to me, Jim was a 'man's man,' and I miss him dearly. I think most of all, Jim was, I'd say, the pedestal of the Minnesota Vikings," Randle said. "We know he got here in the beginning, and he helped establish this organization. Most guys out here, we all think about offense and stuff like that, but for me, it's defense, and we wouldn't be who we are without the Purple People Eaters and especially Jim Marshall."

Kevin O'Connell

"In a franchise flush with Hall of Famers and all-time greats, Jim Marshall stands out as the greatest captain in the history of the Minnesota Vikings. Jim's legacy will forever serve as a role model for our players, as his commitment to the organization and his teammates was second to none. He was a 14-time captain, and nobody led a team like Jim did. He is the example that we have our captains strive to emulate, and there is no better model than Jim Marshall — one of the best defensive players in NFL history. Our hearts go out to Jim's family, and we will always honor him as a Vikings Legend."

O'Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah supported the installation of the Jim Marshall Vikings Captains Legacy display at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in 2024.

Vikings Ownership

"The entire Minnesota Vikings organization is mourning the loss of Jim Marshall. No player in Vikings history lived the ideals of toughness, camaraderie and passion more than the all-time iron man. A cornerstone of the franchise from the beginning, Captain Jim's unmatched durability and quiet leadership earned the respect of teammates and opponents throughout his 20-year career. Jim led by example, and there was no finer example for others to follow. His impact on the Vikings was felt long after he left the field. Jim will always be remembered as a tremendous player and person. Our hearts are with his wife, Susan, and all of Jim's loved ones."

— Owner/President Mark Wilf, Vikings Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf and the Wilf family ownership group

Note: the following Vikings Legends shared their thoughts about Marshall's legacy on Wednesday at the Minnesota Vikings Foundation's Golf Tournament.

Rickey Young

"Jim and Bud [Grant] were bigger than life to me. It's just somebody that I thought would never, ever pass away. Such good people and caring people and great at what they did and took care of other people, because it wasn't what they had to do, but they did it in a good way. And it's, it's such a tragedy. I got to see him last week one day, and he kind of said something, but I didn't understand what he was saying about it being the last meeting with The Captain.

"The worst tragedy of all is that he's not in the Hall of Fame — should have been in there and had a couple of years to enjoy it. Not one person I know wouldn't agree that he should have been in the Hall of Fame, like 8-10-12 years ago. So hopefully somebody will voice some opinions, and they'll finally get him in there, because he'd certainly deserves to be there."

Stu Voigt

"He was our leader. He was one of the great leaders in football. I think it's very unfortunate that he's not in the Hall of Fame. Statistically and length of career wise, and iron man type situation, he didn't get in yet, and hopefully that will come. But in my career, the most unforgettable and probably most important Viking in my in my career. He really was not just a great player, but a great leader and a great guy.

Chad Greenway

"Jim was always so conscientious, so nice. I mean, just never like a 'look-at-me guy' and 'what I did in my career.' Just always so supportive. And I think a lot of Vikings fans across all of Minnesota and across the country and world love Jim Marshall for what he embodies. I think just a lunch pail guy that just showed up and did his job at the highest level. We all think he should be in the Hall of Fame. We all think he deserves it on several levels, just simply with his ability to continue to play and not miss a game, and that stands for something in that league, which is so hard to do. Plus, he was a really good player. Obviously still rooting for him posthumously to get in.

"When to lose a legend like that, it is always hard, and I think it makes a lot of fans think about the days they grew up watching him, or why they're a fan. I'm sure Jim made a lot of fans for the Minnesota Vikings. So to lose a legend like that is always hard. To see that he lived such a great, long life, and be 87 years old and be around the organization and team for so many years past his career and made such a long-lasting impact in our state and our fan base, is so incredible. And I think as former players, all you can hope for is to make some sort of impact like that. And Jim did, certainly on the field and off the field, as well.

Steve Jordan

"I had a great time with Jim. You know, he played before me, of course, but it was a situation where you come back to some events and you get to talk to him, and he was always entertaining. I am sad, of course, that he's passed on, but I'm also happy, that when I look back at his life, man, what a what a wonderful life. I mean, he gave it all on the field, you know, did a lot of things off the field, and to go to 87 with how he lived life was amazing, frankly."

Social Media Posts

Vikings Legend Pete Bercich called Marshall "one of a kind," and fellow Legend Robert Smith shared an iconic photo of The Captain on a snowy game day.

Jake Reed, Brett Favre and Chuck Foreman posted the following messages:

Additional tributes poured in from friends, journalists and fans across the country. The deep respect is undeniable.

Chad Hartman, whose late father Sid covered Marshall during his playing and post-playing years in Minnesota, wrote the following on X:

"The true leader of the players, loved by his teammates, respected by his peers, amazing career, high-quality human being, larger-than-life persona. Only my best to his family."

Legendary Minnesota sportscaster Mark Rosen reflected on his decades-long friendship with Marshall, and the recently retired Randy Shaver shared similar sentiments: