His 282 consecutive games played is the third-longest streak all time, trailing just punter Jeff Feagles (352) and Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre (299), according to NFL Research. His 270 consecutive starts are the most ever by a defensive player and his 19 seasons with the Vikings are fifth all time with one team.

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 after a long hospitalization for an undisclosed illness.

Legendary Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jim Marshall, who holds the NFL record for most seasons played by a defender, died Tuesday at the age of 87, Minnesota announced. Marshall spent 20 seasons in the NFL and made 270 consecutive starts with the Vikings from 1961-79.