Jim Marshall, a former NFL Minnesota Vikings defensive end who made four Super Bowl appearances as part of the Vikings’ famous Purple People Eaters, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the age of 87.
According to reports, the legendary NFL player Jim Marshall passed away in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after being hospitalized for an extended period.
His wife, Susan Landwehr Marshall, confirmed the demise of Jim Marshall in a hospital. However, she did not specify the cause.
The late Jim Marshall, who played in the NFL, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings, led his teams to several victories, earning numerous honors, including an NFL Championship, two Pro Bowls, induction into the 50 Greatest Vikings, and many more.
Furthermore, Jim Marshall not only showcased his amazing football skills but also amassed significant net worth in millions from his decades-long athletic career.
Jim Marshall began his football journey at Columbus’s East High School, where he was part of a team that was twice undefeated and was selected All-State, All-City, and a high school All-American.
The late Jim further continued his football career playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes (1956-1958), where he was named All-American at tackle in 1958 and inducted into the Ohio State Hall of Fame.
Jim Marshall began his professional football career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League in 1959.
While the exact earnings and salaries of Jim Marshall during his time in the CFL are not available, he likely earned around $20,000 for his single season, adding to his net worth.
The Late Jim Marshall Accumulated Significant Income During His 20-Year NFL Career
After playing one season in the Canadian Football League, Jim Marshall continued his professional football journey with the NFL by signing a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns in 1960.
He played the 1960 season with the Browns, but after contracting encephalitis during military training, he was placed in an induced coma.
In 1961, Jim Marshall was traded, along with five other players, to the Minnesota Vikings, where he played until his retirement in 1979.
During his tenure with the Vikings, Jim Marshall finished with a then-record 282 consecutive games played, which punter Jeff Feagles surpassed.
He played in 270 straight games for the Vikings, setting an NFL record for consecutive starts that was later broken by Brett Favre.
Likewise, Marshall was one of 11 players to have played in all four of the Vikings’ Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s.
In the 1960s and 1970s, NFL player salaries were significantly lower than they are today, typically ranging from $20,000 to $60,000, with exceptional players like Jim Marshall likely earning an average of around $50,000 annually.
In addition to his base salary, Marshall would have received bonuses for achievements such as making the Pro Bowl and participating in playoff appearances, which could have added approximately $200,000 throughout his career.
Considering his salaries, bonuses, and other incentives, the late Jim Marshall might have accumulated around $2 million from his two-decade-long NFL career, significantly contributing to his net worth.
Similarly, Jim Marshall also accumulated his income from his post-NFL career working in the finance industry, a real estate company, and an insurance company.
Considering all his income from his NFL, CFL, and post-retirement career, Jim Marshall had an estimated net worth of around $4 million at the time of his passing.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jim was born as James Lawrence Marshall on December 30, 1937, in Wilsonville, Kentucky.
- His family moved to Columbus, Ohio, when he was five years old.
- Jim Marshall’s Ohio State men’s football team was ranked first by UPI and the Football Writers Association of America in 1957.
- He was married twice. Jim Marshall married his second wife, Susan, in 2008 after separating from his first wife, Anita Baker.
- He was a proud father of two daughters, Angie Marshall Moore and Jimi Belanger, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
