Purple People Eaters
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.
[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.
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.
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 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.
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.
However, the Vikings defense executed a key goal line stand by limiting the Rams to 1 yard on three straight running plays.
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.
Page meanwhile was named NEA Defensive Player of the Year as the Vikings ranked second in the league in points allowed.
In the NFC Championship, The Vikings limited Dallas to 153 yards of total offense, sacked Staubach 3 times and forced 6 turnovers including two fumble recoveries by Gary Larsen en route to a 27–10 victory.
The Vikings returned to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years, ultimately falling to the Miami Dolphins by a score of 24–7.
A turning point in the Divisional round against the St. Louis Cardinals, came in the third quarter when Page and Eller forced a fumble which was recovered and scored by defensive back Nate Wright.
In 1976, The Vikings defense ranked second in points allowed, won another divisional title and made it to their third Super Bowl in four years (fourth overall).
[12] About a decade later Eller went on to found various substance-abuse clinics in the Twin Cities area, named Triumph Life Centers.
In 2020 Eller partnered with Halberd Corporation in work related to impact caused brain injuries such as PTSD and CTE.
[13] In his last home game against the Buffalo Bills, Marshall collected two sacks and was carried off the field by his teammates in celebration.
Along with Page and Eller being inducted to the Hall of Fame, the Purple People Eaters received several franchise accolades.
