The Vikings are hard at work this offseason to strengthen their roster for the 2017 season, and they're also reminding others of all that was accomplished by an original Viking..
Vikings Owner Mark Wilf told reporters on Tuesday at the Annual League Meeting that the team is making a push for former defensive end Jim Marshall **to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame**. Mark Craig of the *Star Tribune *was on hand in Arizona to hear Wilf's statements on Marshall, a longtime captain and endcap of the vaunted Purple People Eaters.
Marshall played for the Vikings from 1961-79, and he received back-to-back Pro Bowl nods for his performance during the 1968 and 1969 seasons.
"Jim Marshall is really one of the greatest Vikings of all time," Wilf told Craig and the other reporters. "I know he was a finalist over the years in the Hall selection. We're stewards of a great franchise, and we inherited a great legacy. And Jim Marshall, the kind of leadership not just on the field but the kind of person he is, his record obviously speaks for itself.
"The amount of games he played, his longevity, his consistency. You just have to talk to [former Head Coach Bud Grant] and all his teammates to understand the kind of impact he had," Wilf added. "He really deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. We're fortunate that Mick Tingelhoff is in the Hall of Fame now. I think this would complete the legacy of those great years if Jim Marshall should go into the Hall of Fame."
Craig wrote:
Although sacks weren't an official NFL stat until 1982, Marshall is credited with 127, second-most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Carl Eller (130). Marshall also had 29 fumble recoveries, which ties him for first place in NFL history with 2017 Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
Andrew Sendejo gives back to youth
Players may currently be taking a break from the rigors of the NFL season, but a number of them haven't taken a break from giving back to the community.
Andrew Sendejo on Monday spent time with a group of children at Sunshine Camps. The program that is located in Austin, Texas, works to "engage and empower youth through education and outdoor experiences," according to its **mission statement**.
Sunshine Camps is located 80 miles from Sendejo's hometown of San Antonio. Sendejo retweeted the camp's post about his visit Tuesday:
