NFL Power Rankings: The Greatest Plays Of All-Time
By Erik Lambert
#29: Wrong-Way Run
Another iconic folly that has gone into infamy. Back in the 1960s the Minnesota Vikings were a young franchise trying to find their way. In 1964 it looked like they had something building on defense, headlined by defensive end Jim Marshall.
In a tight game against San Francisco, the Vikings defense forced a big fumble on an ensuing pass play. Marshall, normally always in the right position at the right time, was there to scoop up the ball. There was only one problem.
He forgot which direction his team was supposed to go on offense.
So instead of running it back the other way, he continued to advance the ball in the same direction the 49ers had been going, scoring a touchdown and giving away the lead.
Marshall actually had a safety and forced a fumble that led to the winning score in the game, but it was too late. His name was already etched in history.
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