Jim Marshall had a terrific 20-year career in the NFL. He set numerous records for endurance, having played in 282 consecutive games, and was among the all-time leaders in sacks and fumble recoveries. He is also known for committing one of the most embarrassing, miscues in the history of the NFL.
In a Sunday contest against the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings defensive end recovered a fumble at the Niners' 34. But Marshall had been hit on the play and somehow thought that he was facing the scoring end when he picked up the football. To the other Vikings' horror, Marshall scooped up the ball and continued running 66 yards down the opposite end of the field. When he reached his own end zone, he flipped the ball out of bounds in celebration, only to be told by his teammates that he his touchdown run was actually a safety. (His -66-yard play is recognized as the shortest, most negative-gaining play in the history of the NFL.)
Marshall's highlight was replayed over and over again to audiences who could care less about his consecutive games record. It became the defining moment of his career, and temporarily made him a laughingstock in the public's spotlight. Roy Riegels, who became nationally famous for making the exact same mistake 35 years earlier, sent Marshall a letter titled, "Welcome to the club."
Unlike other sports figures who made horrible mistakes, Marshall was able to laugh at himself and avoid resentment from the fans. Marshall's wrong-way run occurred in a meaningless regular season while Riegels' faux pas happened during the Rose Bowl. Riegels' gaffe cost his team the game, while the Minnesota Vikings were able to at least pull out a win. In fact, Marshall forced a fumble later that game that led to a teammate scoring the game-winning touchdown.
"I never get credit for that fumble," Marshall later joked.
10/25/1964 - Jim Marshall runs the wrong way