Ex-Viking Marshall Says He Has Cancer

Jim Marshall, the leader of the Minnesota Vikings’ Purple People Eater defense who once returned a fumble 66 yards in the wrong direction, announced he has cancer.

Marshall, 62, requested that the type of cancer remain confidential but he did say it was serious and “it seems to have spread to the bone.”

Marshall’s illness was report Tuesday by the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Marshall told the newspaper the cancer was diagnosed nine months ago.

He also holds an NFL record for recovering 29 opponents’ fumbles, including one that resulted in a play for which he might be best remembered: In 1964 at San Francisco, he returned a 49ers’ fumble 66 yards the wrong way. The play resulted in a safety, but the Vikings still won, 27-22.