After attending the University of Tennessee, Marvin played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, from 1977 to 1987, as an offensive guard with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

With Dave Dalby and Gene Upshaw in 1980 and Dave Dalby and Charley Hannah in 1983, he helped solidify the middle of the offensive line which culminated in Raider wins of Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII.

The Raiders then beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV, rushing for a 117 yards and passing for 261 yards again, as Marvin outplayed Eagle nosetackle Charlie Johnson and inside linebackers Bill Bergey and Frank LeMaster.

In the 1983 AFC championship game of the 1983–84 NFL playoffs, the Raiders beat the Seattle Seahawks, rushing for 205 yards and passing for 209 yards, as Marvin pushed around the nosetackle, Joe Nash, and the two inside linebackers Joe Norman and Keith Butler.

The Raiders then beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII, rushing for a 231 yards and passing for 172 yards, as Marvin outmuscled the opposing defensive tackle, All-Pro Dave Butz.