Minnesota Vikings: One player has worn No. 70 in team history

Tyler Forness

Minnesota Vikings: One player has worn No. 70 in team history image

The Minnesota Vikings have had a lot of talented players throughout their 60-plus-year history.

They have the most wins for a franchise that has never won the Super Bowl and made four appearances in the biggest game of the year, tied for the most among teams that have never won a world title.

Despite all of that, the Vikings have found a way to select eight Hall of Famers and signed two more who were undrafted free agents. They have been one of the more successful and storied franchises in the National Football League.

Here’s a look at every player to wear No. 70 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

Every Minnesota Vikings player to wear No. 70

DE Jim Marshall 1961-1979

The Vikings have had just one player wear the number 70 in their history. They struck a trade with the Cleveland Browns to acquire Marshall and it's arguably the best trade they have ever made. He was a fourth-round pick in the 1960 NFL Draft. He played in just 12 games for the Browns before joining the Vikings. 

Marshall set records in consecutive games played (282) and games started (270) when he retired after the 1979 season. Both have since been broken, but it's a beyond-impressive figure for someone who played in the trenches during the 60s and 70s. 

Now, Marshall is a complicated case. He is arguably the best defensive player eligible for the Hall of Fame that hasn't been enshrined. Pro Football Reference estimated that Marshall amassed 130.5 sacks in his career while reaching over 10 sacks on four occasions. He did only make two Pro Bowls and one second-team All-Pro, but it wasn't easy to get the shine over teammates Carl Eller and Alan Page, both of whom are enshrined in Canton.

Unfortunately, most know Marshall not for the great play or the Iron Man streak but rather his recovery of a fumble and taking it the other way for a safety instead of a touchdown. That has kept him from getting his due which is unfortunate.

The Vikings retired Marshall's number 70 and nobody else has ever worn the number.

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Tyler Forness

Tyler Forness Photo

Tyler Forness was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Vikings Wire. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Voices of Wrestling, SB Nation, and NBC Sports Edge among others. He is an avid wrestling fan, craft beer connoisseur, and loves the run-n-shoot offense. You can find him on Twitter/X @TheRealForno.