Every Defensive Player Dreams

EVERY DEFENSIVE PLAYER DREAMS of rumbling into the end zone for six points. But in 1964, when Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall thought he tallied a touchdown, he actually put two points on the board . . . for the other team.

The Vikings were visiting the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners held a 17–13 lead early in the fourth quarter, but a pair of San Francisco turnovers produced two quick Minnesota touchdowns.

Roy Winston intercepted a George Mira pass on the 49ers 11-yard line, and three plays later quarterback Fran Tarkenton rolled around the end for an 8-yard score. On San Francisco’s subsequent possession, defensive tackle Carl Eller scooped up a Mira fumble and galloped 45 yards for a touchdown to put Minnesota in front 27–17.

Marshall, hoping to make the highlight film with another big defensive play, found the opportunity on San Francisco’s next drive. Mira completed a short pass to tailback Billy Kilmer, who took a few steps before fumbling. Trailing the play, the Vikings defensive end grabbed the ball in midair and bolted toward the goal line. Unfortunately for Vikings fans, Marshall had been trailing the play, so when he grabbed the ball he was running toward the San Francisco goal line.

Marshall ran untouched all the way through the end zone and hurled the football into the stands. Puffed with excitement, his elation soon turned to dejection when officials signaled a San Francisco safety. The defensive end’s wrong-way jaunt scored two points for the 49ers. Oops. Despite Marshall’s mistake, Minnesota managed to edge out San Francisco 27–22.

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POINT Imagine the rush of recovering a fumble and scoring a touchdown for your team. Then consider the embarrassment of knowing you hadn’t helped your team at all. You’d actually given your opponent two points because you took the wrong path. That’s what Jim Marshall did.

The writer of Proverbs warns against leaning on ourselves and following our own paths. Only by trusting God completely, acknowledging him, and not following our own plans will the Lord make our paths straight.

GOAL! Ask God to keep the paths of your life moving straight to him. You might just avoid some embarrassing moments, and you definitely will live a more rewarding life.