Marshall’s famous hit on Joe Ferguson in 1985… Ferguson landed in ’87.
He was a collision waiting to happen. Easily one of the most exciting football players I ever watched. Marshall was sudden and arrived at the football with a swiftness and anger rarely seen even in NFL circles. He made big plays…hits and turnovers that changed games. Something today’s soft NFL doesn’t allow. Any routine play could explode into a big moment when #58 was on the field.
Circling back to compare Marshall’s greatest season against that of D Brooks, keep in mind Hall of Fame member Brooks won ’02 NFL Defensive Player of the Year:
- ’91 Marshall -135 tackles 5.5 sacks 4 FF, 1 FR 5 ints – 1 TD return
- ’02 Brooks – 118 tackles 1 sack 1 FF, 1FR -1TD, 5 ints – 3TD returns
One might respond Brooks led his Bucs to a Super Bowl XXXVII win, just keep in mind Marshall led the Redskins to the XXVI title in his. Yet in this spectacular season Marshall didn’t make the Pro Bowl when he should have been up for the ’91 DPoY. Even in that voting he came in 6th. Something was definitely wrong. Stats gainst those NFC OLB contemporaries:
- ’91 Marshall -135 tackles 5.5 sacks 4 FF, 1 FR 5 ints – 1 TD return
- ’91 Seth Joyner – 110 tackles 6.5 sacks 6FF, 4FR – 2TDs, 3 ints
- ’91 Pat Swilling – 60 tackles 17 sacks 6FF, 1FR, 1 int – 1TD
- ’91 Charles Haley – 53 tackles 7 sacks, 2FF & 1FR
Sack and forced fumble on Jim Kelly
Somehow Charles Haley bumped him from the Pro Bowl roster. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys after the season for being a malcontent in the Niners locker room. Come on now…
All Marshall could do was leave his mark on the playing field in the playoffs. First he tied the NFC Championship Game sack record with 3 in their 41-10 win over the Lions. Then in Super Bowl XXVI Marshall recorded 11 tackles, 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles to lead the Redskins to a 37-24 triumph. He was the best player on the field, winning his 2nd World Championship. We’ll cover his 1st in a minute…
Marshall forcing an Eric Dickerson fumble during the ’85 NFC Championship Game.
Against the Rams in the NFC Championship Game, Singletary’s hit on 4th and 1 and two forced fumbles by Eric Dickerson, one by Marshall below, and the complexion of that game changed. I can remember when Marshall crushed Henry Ellard on a shallow cross knocking his own chinstrap sideways.Then to ice the game Marshall recovered a fumble forced by Richard Dent and returned it 52 yards for the TD that punctuated their 24-0 victory.
In Super Bowl XX Marshall set the tone sharing the first sack of the game with MVP Richard Dent. He finished the game with 4 tackles, 1/2 sack and a fumble recovery.
Wilber was the enforcer on 2 teams lauded as 2 of the greatest champions of the Super Bowl era in the ’85 Bears & the ’91 Redskins. He finished as the 1st defensive player in the modern era (sacks being recorded as an official statistic beginning in ’82) to finish with over 40 sacks & 2o interceptions. His 45 sacks, 23 interceptions, 24 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries illustrate how well rounded he was.
Fans are still making highlights on his exploits as one of the most destructive forces in NFL history. He helped shape two of the greatest champions of the last half century. His play was so sought after the Redskins ushered in the age of true free agency to acquire his services from Chicago. The era of excellence for the Bears ended with his defection. OLB Ron Rivera nor Jim Morrissey brought playmaking to the position as the 80s concluded. Not Jack Tatum level hits nor level of play.
He finished with 2 All Pro Seasons and 3 Pro Bowls but helped usher in an era where fans along with players are able to voice who should be honored with a Pro Bowl trip. Marshall’s excellent play was the impetus as to why this has come to be.
The ’85 Bears are being honored with DT Steve McMichael being enshrined this August. Yet the most unforgettable player from that defense remains on the outside looking in. This needs to be corrected. His standoff with the Bears organization over past finances shouldn’t be a deterrent for the team to keep him from being honored also. So The Chancellor of Football will help make that push.
Please write & nominate #58
Send letters to:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Attention: Senior Selection Committee
2121 George Halas Dr NW, Canton,
OH 44708
For induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I present Wilber Marshall.
Coaches and players from the past advocated for on Taylor Blitz Times in order:
Robert Brazile 2011 (inducted 2018)
Ran into Robert Brazile after the Gold Jacket Dinner. Great time.
Kevin Greene 2011 (inducted 2016)
With Kevin Greene after the Induction ceremony.
Terrell Davis 2011 (inducted 2017)
Jerry Kramer 2011 (inducted 2018)
“Hey big guy!” The laughs at the Hall of Fame party were priceless.
Randy Moss 2011 (inducted 2018)
Cris Carter 2011 (inducted 2013)
Tom Flores 2012 (inducted 2021)
Edgerrin James 2013 (inducted 2020)
Andre Reed 2013 (inducted 2014)
Ken Riley 2015 (inducted 2023)
Ken Stabler 2015 (inducted 2016)
Drew Pearson 2016 (inducted 2021)
Cliff Branch 2016 (inducted 2022)
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Pingback: The Life And Career Of Wilber Marshall
As usual, excellent work Wilbur’s exclusion, Chancellor, highlights a clear dysfunction in the voting process. The writers, who do not understand the game of football, will vote for players based only on their personal preferences, or vice versa if they disagree with a particular player. Lester Hayes should also be in Canton, but Wilbur was a superb linebacker who played well for TWO teams (WAS and CHI), winning rings with both of them. He was also still pretty effective in Houston during Buddy’s “46” run there in the early to mid-1990s.
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