Before Leonard Marshall became a two time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants and one of the NFL’s most feared defensive linemen, he built his foundation at LSU.

The Franklin, Louisiana, native played for the Tigers from 1979 through 1982. By his senior season, Marshall had become a leader of an LSU defense that helped engineer one of the program’s biggest turnarounds. LSU defeated three highly ranked opponents in 1982 and came within one point of beating No. 3 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

Marshall then turned his LSU experience into a remarkable 12 year NFL career that included 83.5 sacks, two Pro Bowl selections and two Super Bowl championships. 

That combination of success earns Leonard Marshall the No. 96 spot among the Top 100 LSU Tigers of All Time.

From Franklin to LSU

Leonard Allen Marshall was born in Franklin, Louisiana, and attended Franklin High School before coming to LSU.

Marshall joined the Tigers in 1979 during Charles McClendon’s final season as head coach. LSU finished 7 and 5 that year and defeated Wake Forest 34 to 10 in the Tangerine Bowl.

Jerry Stovall took over in 1980, and Marshall continued developing into one of LSU’s most important defensive players. He became known as “Big Chief” among his teammates and eventually emerged as a leader of the defense.

That leadership was formally recognized in 1982 when Marshall was selected as one of LSU’s permanent team captains alongside quarterback Alan Risher. 

The Turnaround of 1982

LSU entered Marshall’s senior season coming off a difficult 3 and 7 and 1 campaign in 1981.

The Tigers responded with one of the most memorable seasons of the Stovall era.

LSU went to Gainesville and defeated No. 4 Florida 24 to 13. The Tigers continued climbing the rankings and eventually traveled to Birmingham for a showdown with No. 8 Alabama.

That game became one of the defining moments of Marshall’s LSU career.

Ending Alabama’s Dominance

When LSU met Alabama on Nov. 6, 1982, the Tigers were ranked No. 11 and the Crimson Tide was No. 8.

LSU had not beaten Alabama since 1970. The Crimson Tide had won 11 consecutive games in the series.

That streak ended in Birmingham.

LSU defeated Alabama 20 to 10, earning its first victory over the Crimson Tide in 12 years. Marshall and the LSU defense helped hold Alabama to just 10 points.

The victory was particularly significant because it came against legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant, who was nearing the end of his career.

For Marshall and LSU, it was proof that the Tigers could compete with the best teams in the country.

A Statement Against Florida State

LSU suffered a 27 to 24 loss at Mississippi State the following week but still had another opportunity to make a national statement.

No. 7 Florida State came to Tiger Stadium on Nov. 20.

LSU was ranked No. 12.

The game was not close.

The Tigers overwhelmed the Seminoles 55 to 21, producing one of LSU’s most impressive victories of the decade.

LSU finished the regular season 8 and 2 and 1 before earning an invitation to the Orange Bowl.

Marshall would finish his college career against one of the best teams in America.

One Point Short in the Orange Bowl

LSU entered the Orange Bowl ranked No. 13 and faced No. 3 Nebraska on Jan. 1, 1983.

The Tigers nearly pulled off the upset.

Nebraska escaped with a 21 to 20 victory, leaving LSU with an 8 and 3 and 1 final record. 

Despite the loss, LSU had completed an impressive turnaround from the previous season. Marshall had gone from a young Louisiana defensive lineman to one of the leaders of a nationally ranked team.

He later recalled being selected as the team’s MVP following the 1982 season and credited the entire LSU defense for helping him receive the honor.

NFL scouts had also seen enough.

The Giants Come Calling

The New York Giants selected Marshall in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft with the 37th overall pick. 

Marshall quickly became an important part of a Giants defense that would eventually feature stars such as Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson and Carl Banks.

His breakout season came in 1985.

Marshall recorded a career high 15.5 sacks while starting all 16 games. He followed that with 12 sacks in 1986. Those two seasons earned him consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

The 1986 Giants finished 14 and 2 and rolled through the playoffs before defeating the Denver Broncos 39 to 20 in Super Bowl XXI.

Marshall had his first Super Bowl ring.

Four years later, he earned another.

An Outstanding NFL Career

Marshall remained a fixture on New York’s defensive line through the early 1990s.

He recorded 9.5 sacks in 1989 and 11 in 1991. During the Giants’ 1990 championship season, he recorded 4.5 sacks in the regular season and remained a major part of a defense that carried New York back to the Super Bowl.

The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20 to 19 in Super Bowl XXV, giving Marshall his second championship.

Marshall spent 10 seasons with the Giants before playing for the New York Jets in 1993 and Washington in 1994.

Over 12 NFL seasons, Marshall appeared in 177 regular season games and made 138 starts. He recorded 83.5 sacks, two interceptions and two safeties. Of his 83.5 career sacks, 79.5 came during his decade with the Giants. 

Those numbers place Marshall among the most accomplished professional defensive linemen ever produced by LSU.

The Hit on Joe Montana

One play became permanently attached to Marshall’s name.

On Jan. 20, 1991, the Giants faced the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco was attempting to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

Marshall came around the edge and hit quarterback Joe Montana from behind.

Montana was forced from the game, and the Giants eventually won 15 to 13 on Matt Bahr’s field goal as time expired.

New York advanced to Super Bowl XXV and defeated Buffalo.

Marshall’s hit on Montana became one of the defining defensive plays of the 1990 NFL postseason. It remains one of the most remembered moments of his career.

But Marshall was much more than one famous hit.

More Than a Pass Rusher

Marshall played defensive end and defensive tackle during his NFL career. At 6 foot 3 and roughly 288 pounds during his professional career, he combined the strength needed to battle inside with enough quickness to pressure quarterbacks. 

His career high 15.5 sacks in 1985 demonstrated just how disruptive he could be. He followed with 12 in 1986, eight in 1987, eight in 1988, 9.5 in 1989 and 11 in 1991. 

Marshall was playing on a Giants defense filled with outstanding players, but he was not simply benefiting from the talent around him.

He was one of the reasons that defense was so difficult to handle.

Why Leonard Marshall Is No. 96

Leonard Marshall’s story is rooted in Louisiana.

He grew up in Franklin, stayed home to play at LSU and became one of the leaders of the Tigers.

His senior season remains the centerpiece of his LSU career. The 1982 Tigers defeated No. 4 Florida, No. 8 Alabama and No. 7 Florida State before taking No. 3 Nebraska to the final moments of a 21 to 20 Orange Bowl.

Marshall was one of LSU’s permanent team captains and emerged as a leader of the defense.

Then he became an NFL star.

Marshall played 12 seasons, appeared in 177 regular season games, made 138 starts, recorded 83.5 sacks, earned two Pro Bowl selections and won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants. 

His NFL résumé was outstanding, but the journey began in Louisiana and ran through Tiger Stadium.

That earns Leonard Marshall the No. 96 spot among the Top 100 LSU Tigers of All Time.

Sources

LSU Athletics, LSU Football Permanent Team Captains and Postseason Awards
https://lsusports.net/football-permanent-captains-postseason-awards

NFL, Leonard Marshall Career Statistics
https://www.nfl.com/players/leonard-marshall/stats/career

Pro Football Reference, Leonard Marshall Career Statistics
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MarsLe00.htm