Purple People Eaters
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The Purple People Eaters was the nickname given to the defensive line of the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 to 1977, consisting mainly of Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Gary Larsen.
The term is a reference to a popular song from 1958, the efficiency of the defense, and the color of their uniforms. The motto of the Purple People Eaters was "Meet at the quarterback."[1]
The Purple People Eaters mainly consisted of:
- Defensive tackle Alan Page, 9 Pro Bowl selections (1968–1976), NFL MVP (1971), Pro Football Hall of Fame[2]
- Defensive end Carl Eller, 6 Pro Bowl selections (1968–1971, 1973–1974), Pro Football Hall of Fame[3]
- Defensive end Jim Marshall, 2 Pro Bowl selections (1968–1969)[4]
- Defensive tackle Gary Larsen, 2 Pro Bowl selections (1969–1970)[5]
Larsen was replaced in 1974 by Doug Sutherland.[6]
Marshall said that the players disliked the name "Purple People Eaters" and called themselves "The Purple Gang", but "we've got to ride with it because it's our handle".[7] The group was a major factor in the post-season success of the Vikings from the late 1960s through the 1970s.[8] The Purple People Eaters were one of the most identifiable front fours in National Football League history, with the "Fearsome Foursome" of the Los Angeles Rams during the 1960s and early 1970s, the "Steel Curtain" of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s, the "New York Sack Exchange" of the New York Jets during the 1980s, and the “Monsters of the Midway" of the Chicago Bears during the 1980s.
Eller and Page were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many people argue that Jim Marshall should be in the Hall of Fame as well.[9]
When the Minnesota Vikings first came into the NFL in 1961, they picked up Jim Marshall from the Cleveland Browns during a number of early September trades that moved six Cleveland players to the Vikings for two 1962 draft picks. In 1964, Carl Eller was drafted in the first round. In the next season, they acquired Gary Larsen from the Los Angeles Rams. Then in 1967, the Vikings drafted Alan Page in the first round.
Late 1960s and early 1970s
The Purple People Eaters were a key part of a Vikings team that won 10 division titles in 11 years, leading to five NFC Championships and four Super Bowl appearances. In 1968, Marshall, Eller and Page all made the Pro Bowl as the defense collected 44 sacks (11 for Page, 10 for Larsen, 10 for Marshall and 8 for Eller), and ranked 6th in the league in points allowed as the Vikings won their first division title. In week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, Marshall sacked Packers Quarterback Bart Starr in his own end zone for a safety. The Vikings won the game 26-13.
In 1969, Marshall, Eller, Page and Larsen all made the Pro Bowl as the defense sacked the opposing quarterback 49 times and ranked number 1 in both yards allowed and points allowed, shutting out their opponents twice. In the last 7 games of the season, the Vikings defense only allowed 2 offensive touchdowns. Carl Eller led the league with 15 sacks, and Marshall had the second most with 14 (tied with Deacon Jones). On Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions during a driving snowstorm, Marshall and Page combined for one of the most remarkable plays in NFL history. Page tipped a pass which was intercepted by Marshall, who ran for 30 yards, then as he was being tackled, he lateraled the ball to Page who then ran 15 yards for a touchdown.[10] The Vikings won the game 27–0. In the Western Conference championship game, the Vikings hosted the Los Angeles Rams. Late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings defense needed to protect a one-point lead. Eller extended the lead by sacking Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel in the end zone for a safety. The Rams got the ball back with still some time left to win, but Page intercepted Gabriel to put the game out of reach as the Vikings won 23–20. The win allowed the Vikings to advance to their first-ever NFL Championship against the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings dominated the game defeating the Browns 27–7. The Vikings advanced to Super Bowl IV but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in a 23–7 upset.
The Vikings opened up the 1970 season in a Super Bowl IV rematch against the Chiefs. The Vikings defense dominated the game, limiting the Chiefs to 63 yards rushing and forcing four turnovers including a second quarter fumble forced by Eller, recovered by Marshall who then lateraled the ball to Roy Winston, who went on to score a touchdown en route to a 27–10 victory. The Vikings defense recorded 49 sacks and once again gave up the fewest yards and fewest points, recorded 2 shutouts, and only gave up 2 offensive touchdowns in the first 6 weeks of the season while scoring 3 defensive touchdowns in that span. Meanwhile, Page, Eller and Larsen all made the Pro Bowl. Page also led the league with seven fumble recoveries for 77 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came in a week 4 game against the Chicago Bears. All four down linemen got to Bears quarterback Jack Concannon, Larsen & Eller forced a fumble which was recovered by Page who returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings won the game 24–0. Page also picked off Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and returned it 27 yards in week 5. Late in the first half in a week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams, The Vikings defense executed a key goal line stand by keep the rams out of the endzone on three straight running plays. The Vikings went on to win the game 13–3.
In 1971, The Vikings defense ranked second in fewest yards allowed and for the third year in a row, first in fewest points allowed, including 3 shutouts. That year, Eller was voted NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year and to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Page became the first defensive player to be voted NFL MVP, and the only defensive lineman to ever earn the honor. Page's MVP season was highlighted by his Week 13 performance against the Detroit Lions. In the second quarter, after being called for a personal foul and for roughing the passer on consecutive plays, Page sacked QB Greg Landry on first down. On second down, Page tackled Altie Taylor for a 4-yard loss. On third down, Page tackled Landry after a gain of two yards, ending the drive. In the fourth quarter, Page blocked a Lion punt out of the end zone for a safety. Page would score 2 other safeties that year. One in week 3 when he sacked Buffalo Bills quarterback Dennis Shaw in his own end zone, and in the Divisional Playoff game against the Cowboys by sacking Staubach in his own end zone.
