Honoring the Life of Jim Marshall
A Statement from Beth Holger, CEO of The Link
The majority of people will remember Jim Marshall for his incredible talent in the NFL – for being one of the greatest defensive ends of all time. This is completely understandable as he was one of the most talented, dedicated and hard-working defensive players in NFL history. He played for 20 seasons – 19 of them with our Minnesota Vikings where he also led the team as the captain for 14 years. He also holds the record for the most consecutive games played by a defensive player – 270 – in rain, snow or shine. He has many awards, accolades and is known for being a part of the famous Purple People Eaters, an incredible team leader and played in all four of the Minnesota Vikings Superbowl appearances.
Although Jim had outstanding accomplishments in his football career – we know Jim for even bigger and greater things that he did off the field. Jim was many things to us in addition to being a football legend – an incredible community leader, our Leader and Founder, mentor, teacher, friend and someone willing to help change and save lives.
During and after his time playing for the Minnesota Vikings, Jim saw the reality of the struggle far too many youth in our community faced. He saw Black youth struggling in North Minneapolis – with poverty, homelessness, racism, being victimized by crime and getting recruited to get involved in crime. Jim along with his Vikings teammate and friend, Oscar Reed, decided to do something to help support the youth in North Minneapolis. They volunteered their time, skills, talents and resources to found The Link in 1991.
Over the years Jim has helped countless numbers of youth – he would literally do whatever it took, figure out how to jump through or crash through any barriers to getting youth help. He knew that there were no “bad kids” but youth that weren’t getting the support or opportunities they needed. He and Oscar would help them through all kinds of crisis without ever giving up on them to get to a point of safety, stability and empowerment. He has literally helped to change and save countless youth lives. Even after he retired from The Link he would still provide training, inspiration and support for Link staff and youth. He and his incredible wife – Susan – have always continued to support The Link with being members of our Community Advisory Board, helped to organize the Founders Luncheons and other fundraising efforts and provide so much inspiration and support.
When I had the honor of becoming the CEO of The Link in 2013 I knew that carrying on Jim and Oscar’s vision and work was no small job to take on. I had the incredible good fortune of meeting the greatest mentors, teachers and leaders I have ever met. Both Jim and Oscar took a great amount of time in taking me under their wings to teach me about how and why they started The Link, how to lead and work with youth and community with intentionality, truth, grace and being able to shake off and learn from mistakes. Jim in particular taught me about the importance of mental strength in life and this work, that our mistakes don’t define us, not to dwell on people that hurt us and the importance of working for a mission that is much larger than ourselves. Jim became a role model, mentor, inspiration and friend all in one – not only to me but also to my son, Aksel. I could not be more grateful to Jim for everything he has done for our community, for founding The Link and everything that he has done for me personally too. I am a better person and leader because of him.
I along with all of us at The Link are incredibly heartbroken to lose Jim in life. But we know that the impact that he has had on and off the football field – will always live on. His legacy is something that I and all of us at The Link are incredibly honored to carry forward. We are even more dedicated and inspired to carry out his vision in helping youth and families out of crisis and into a new empowered and positive future.
Rest in Power Jim – and know that we will continue what you started. Your legacy and impact will only continue to grow.