Professional Career
Marshall was selected with the 37th overall selection (the fourth defensive lineman taken) in the 1983 NFL Draft. At the time Los Angeles Raiders managing general partner Al Davis described him as the steal of the draft. In his rookie season Marshall initially struggled with weight problems which drew the ire of the coaching staff. After trimming down, Marshall made an impact and played strongly against the run but was unable to mount much of a pass rush and finished with a meager .5 sacks on the season. He improved rapidly and recorded 6.5 sacks in 1984. He recorded several key tackles to help the Giants preserve a crucial 16–13 win over the Los Angeles Rams during the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. His emergence as a pass rusher continued in 1985 and he finished with 15.5 sacks, and was named NFL defensive lineman of the year. He repeated that honor in 1986 as he finished with 12 sacks. He teamed with Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor to form a potent pass rush on the right side of the Giants defense. The Giants finished 14–2 and advanced to the Super Bowl where they faced the Denver Broncos. Marshall recorded two sacks in the Giants 39–20 victory.
Marshall recorded eight sacks in ten games played in the strike shortened 1987 season. The Giants struggled to a 6–9–1 record in 1987 before rebounding to finish 10–6 in 1988. Marshall again recorded eight sacks as he split time with fellow defensive end John Washington. Marshall recorded 9.5 sacks in 1989, and the Giants lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Rams. Marshall later described this season as a lost opportunity as he felt the Giants had the best team in the league that season. Marshall engaged in a prolonged contract holdout leading up to the 1990 season. He reported late, and after initially struggling to regain his job, recovered to record 4.5 sacks during the season. The Giants started out 10–0 and finished 13–3. They advanced to the NFC Championship game where the two-time defending Super Bowl champions San Francisco 49ers awaited them.
Marshall is probably best known for his hit that knocked Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana out of that game. In the fourth quarter he hit Montana so hard that he suffered a bruised sternum, bruised stomach, cracked ribs, and a broken hand. This would be the last game Montana would ever start for the 49ers. In 2007, the hit was ranked as the third most "devastating hit" in NFL history by Fox Sports Net, and the third most "devastating hit" in sports history by The Best Damn Sports Show Period. Marshall finished the game with four tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, and was named NFL defensive player of the week. He also recorded one sack in the Giants Super Bowl XXV victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Marshall continued to play at a high level in 1991, recording 11 sacks. He clashed with new Giants coach Ray Handley however, and got into a well publicized shouting match with him during halftime of a game against Dallas early in the 1992 season. He recorded four sacks in 1992 and left the Giants via free agency following the season. After a season each with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins, in which he recorded two sacks in both years, Marshall retired at the age of 33. In 1996 he signed a ceremonial contract which allowed him to retire as a Giant. Upon signing the contract he stated, "I wanted to retire as a Giant because it's where my career began. They were people who believed in my talents and helped mold me into the man I am today, and I wanted to thank them for that."
Marshall was selected to three Pro Bowls, and finished his career with 83.5 sacks in the regular season, and twelve in the postseason. His total of 79.5 as a Giant ranks him fifth in team history.
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