Fred Friedman: The worst injustice in Vikings history and it is not even close
"I told (Sid) Hartman that he needed to spend less time fawning over Bobby Knight and George Steinbrenner and more time cashing in favors with his 'close personal friends' and getting (Jim) Marshall inducted. It was rude of me, but I am proud I said it." -- Fred Friedman
The article by Craig Peters that Howie ran on September 5 about Vikings captains but really about Jim Marshall was right on.
The failure of the 50 writers and media types and the NFL Hall of Fame Board of Directors to enshrine Marshall is unjustifiable and a failure of the Minnesota media to successfully lobby for Marshal's induction.
Here is my argument:
1. Third all-time in consecutive NFL starts. The only two ahead of him are punter Jeff Feagles and quarterback Brett Favre. Neither had to rush or block or tackle.
2. Marshall never missed a playoff game and played in 10.3. He was a long-time team captain who ran the Vikings' locker room for 19 seasons.
4. Modern statistics (devised by people that never played but have math and stats graduate degrees) say he should be in. (See Profootballreference.com and Next generation stats.)
5. Bud Grant spent years lobbying for his inclusion. I'll take Grant's analysis over statistical gurus every day.
6. The three former Vikings Hall of Famers who accomplished the most in their post-playing careers, Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, long-time Twin City educator Randal McDaniel and wealthy businessman Fran Tarkenton all say he should have been voted in long ago. In the late 1980s my friend the late Harvey Solon introduced me to the Strib's Sid Hartman. I told Hartman that he needed to spend less time fawning over Bobby Knight and George Steinbrenner and more time cashing in favors with his 'close personal friends' and getting Marshall inducted. It was rude of me, but I am proud I said it."