Anniversary of NFL’s Most Famous Fumble Recovery

This week was the anniversary of the NFL’s funniest and most famous fumble recovery.

MINNESOTA - Jim Marshall was a lineman and a member of the famous Minnesota Vikings “Purple People Eaters”; one of the most dominating defensive lines in NFL history.

A feared pass-rusher, Marshall owned the line of scrimmage throughout his career, recording 127 sacks and an NFL record 29 fumble recoveries. One of those recoveries would put him on NFL video highlight reels forever.

On October 25, 1964 in a game against NFC rival San Francisco, Marshall scooped up a fumble and ran it 66 yards into the end zone.

As he galloped down the sideline, his teammates were jumping up and down waving their arms in what he thought was celebration.

After making his way into the end zone, the out-of-breath, exhausted player heaved the ball out of bounds in celebration then soon realized he would forever make it onto every NFL blooper reel in existence.

Marshall had just run in the wrong direction and instead of scoring a TD and putting 6 points on the board for the Vikings, he had just handed the 49ers a two-point safety. The Vikings did go on to win that game with Marshall coming up with a few huge defensive plays contributing to the win.

This article is one of many that are featured in the SportsClimax.com ”Bizarre Moments” section.

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