(born 1938), African American football player. James L. Marshall grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and was a football player at Columbus East High School. He was an All-America player at Ohio State, but skipped his senior year to play football in the Canadian League. After one season with Cleveland Browns in 1960, he was infected with encephalitis from a mosquito bite. He recovered and was traded by the Browns to the Minnesota Vikings in 1961. He started every game that the Vikings played from 1961 through 1979, including four Super Bowls. Marshall, who played defensive end, had more playing time than anyone in the history of professional football. Marshall was famous for a play in a 1964 game against the San Francisco 49ers in which he recovered a fumble and ran 66 yards to the 49ers' end zone for a safety. He also was credited with bringing enthusiasm and humor to the Vikings, whom he joined in their inaugural season.