Ed Marion
Encyclopedia
Ed Marion was an American
official
in the National Football League
. Marion was in the league from 1960 to 1987 and officiated in Super Bowl V
, IX
and XI
. He wore the number 26 for the majority of his career (during the 1979-81 period, he wore number 6).
Marion is reviled by fans of the Minnesota Vikings
for a call he made late in Super Bowl IX. With the Pittsburgh Steelers
holding a tenuous 9-6 lead, Terry Bradshaw
completed a 30-yard pass to tight end Larry Brown, but at the end of the play, several Vikings ripped the ball loose from Brown's grasp, and linebacker Jeff Siemon
recovered for Minnesota. Marion, however, overruled the call of back judge Ray Douglas and field judge Dick Dolack, and instead ruled Brown down by contact. The Steelers kept possession and Bradshaw connected with Brown again for the clinching touchdown.
Ed Marion is also reviled by Oakland Raiders fans for the bad call he made in the 1977 AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, which likely prevented the Raiders (the defending Super Bowl Champions) from appearing in a second straight Super Bowl and having a dream match-up with the Dallas Cowboys (who blew out the Broncos in Super Bowl XII). The score was still 7-3 midway through the third quarter. Denver drove to the Raider two yard line. But then Bronco fullback Rob Lytle was smacked in midair by Jack Tatum as Lytle dove over the pile, and the ball popped loose. Mike McCoy, a defensive tackle who played on goal-line defense, scooped it up and was running for a touchdown when the play was whistled dead. Although replays clearly showed that Lytle didn't have possession before he dove, Head Linesman Ed Marion ruled no fumble (saying that Lytle fumbled only after his forward progress had stopped). The Raiders were also penalized for arguing the call. Denver scored on the next play, and went on to win the game 20-17.
Marion died on 28 April 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
official
Official (American football)
In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game.During professional and college football games, seven officials operate on the field...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Marion was in the league from 1960 to 1987 and officiated in Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V was an American football game played on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1970 regular season...
, IX
Super Bowl IX
Super Bowl IX was an American football game played on January 12, 1975 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1974 regular season. It would be the last pro game at legendary Tulane Stadium...
and XI
Super Bowl XI
Super Bowl XI was a football game played on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1976 regular season...
. He wore the number 26 for the majority of his career (during the 1979-81 period, he wore number 6).
Marion is reviled by fans of the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
for a call he made late in Super Bowl IX. With the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
holding a tenuous 9-6 lead, Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
completed a 30-yard pass to tight end Larry Brown, but at the end of the play, several Vikings ripped the ball loose from Brown's grasp, and linebacker Jeff Siemon
Jeff Siemon
Jeffrey Glenn Siemon is a former professional American football player and an inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame....
recovered for Minnesota. Marion, however, overruled the call of back judge Ray Douglas and field judge Dick Dolack, and instead ruled Brown down by contact. The Steelers kept possession and Bradshaw connected with Brown again for the clinching touchdown.
Ed Marion is also reviled by Oakland Raiders fans for the bad call he made in the 1977 AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, which likely prevented the Raiders (the defending Super Bowl Champions) from appearing in a second straight Super Bowl and having a dream match-up with the Dallas Cowboys (who blew out the Broncos in Super Bowl XII). The score was still 7-3 midway through the third quarter. Denver drove to the Raider two yard line. But then Bronco fullback Rob Lytle was smacked in midair by Jack Tatum as Lytle dove over the pile, and the ball popped loose. Mike McCoy, a defensive tackle who played on goal-line defense, scooped it up and was running for a touchdown when the play was whistled dead. Although replays clearly showed that Lytle didn't have possession before he dove, Head Linesman Ed Marion ruled no fumble (saying that Lytle fumbled only after his forward progress had stopped). The Raiders were also penalized for arguing the call. Denver scored on the next play, and went on to win the game 20-17.
Marion died on 28 April 2008.