A Legacy Matched by Few – That of Marshal Faulk

by Kevin Cundick

Being a BYU fan, it was sure tough to like as Marshal Faulk, then of San Diego State, run circles around the BYU defense. Despite all of that however, even then, I had a lot of respect for Marshal Faulk, even as a BYU fan. Then to learn that one of the reason’s he chose San Diego State was because it was the only school in the country that would let him be running back. You see he was also a good defensive back and that is what most schools were recruiting him for. San Diego State gave him the opportunity to do what he really wanted…to be a running back.

My respect of Marshal Faulk was so great that I watched his career with interest as he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. He ended up his first season as Rookie of Year. As a rookie he tore it up. After watching him run over BYU, that was not a surprise to me.

Having been an avid Rams fan since I was a young kid, my excitement couldn’t have been any greater in 1999 when the Rams traded a second and fifth round draft pick to get Marshal Faulk. Having been a true blue Rams fan and sticking with the team through 3-13 and 4-12 seasons since 1990 it was thrilling to see watch the birth of the “Greatest Show on Turf”, with Marshal being the key to this most feared offense. I don’t think there ever was a better fit than Marshal Faulk and Mike Martz. Between them and Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, there wasn’t a defense in the league who had an answer for such an explosive offensive. I was in Heaven. Thanks to Marshal my Rams were finally alive and alive in a big time way.

Marshal led the league in total yards for the next three years winning the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award in 2000. In 1999 and 2001 he was only beaten out for the award by his quarterback, Kurt Warner. No defensive had an answer for how to stop Marshal.

It was truly an honor to be able to watch Marshal through his college days at San Diego State and into his pro career with the Colts and Rams.

On Friday July 21, 2006, it was announced by Rams current head coach, Scott Linehan, that Marshal Faulk will have to have reconstructive surgery on his knees. This will likely be the end of his Professional Football career.

My hats off to you Marshal. I have been and always will be one of your biggest fans. It was a pleasure watching you through your career. Thanks!

Kevin Cundick runs the Best Football Source website. For more information on Football see the Best Football Source website at http://www.bestfootballsource.com. This article may be freely distributed provided the text, URL's, and this author bio remain intact.