Marshall played 19 seasons for the Vikings, starting every game from the team’s win over the Chicago Bears in its inaugural game on Sept. 17, 1961, to his final start on Dec. 16, 1979, at age 41.

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jim Marshall is shown, Dec. 30, 1978, after practice for their NFC playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Jim Marshall, whose ironman streak remains the standard for NFL defenders, has died. He was 87. The Vikings announced the longtime defensive end’s passing. Marshall had been hospitalized for a ...

Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall has died after a long hospitalization for an undisclosed illness. He was 87. Marshall was one of the four members of the famed ...

FILE - Minnesota Viking tackle Jim Marshall clutches the game ball as he is carried from the field by teammates Doug Southerland, left, and Scott Studwell after the Vikings defeated the Buffalo ...

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jim Marshall is shown, Dec. 30, 1978, after practice for their NFC playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams.

FILE - Minnesota Vikings' Jim Marshall is shown, Dec. 30, 1978, after practice for their NFC playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) - Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall, one of the four members of the famed Purple People Eaters front that formed the backbone of four Super Bowl teams, died Tuesday ...