There’s a reason that so many people are struggling to come to terms with that fact that Vikings legend Jim Marshall is gone. Because of the way he lived, it almost seemed he couldn’t die. The icon affectionately known as “The Captain” by his peers passed away last week at the age of 87 following a lengthy hospitalization.

Part of Minnesota’s famed unit the Purple People Eaters, he started a record 270 consecutive games. Also famously, he once scooped up a fumble and ran to the wrong end zone.

Jim Marshall was one of the four members of the Purple People Eaters front that formed the backbone of four Super Bowl teams for the Minnesota Vikings.