Faithful Flashbacks #76: Jim Marshall’s Wrong Way Run

No. 76 on the Faithful Flashbacks series featured one of the more baffling moments in the NFL, with Jim Marshall running the wrong direction.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

May 22, 2026, 1:01 PM

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In honor of the San Francisco 49ers celebrating their 80th anniversary, Sactown Sports is kicking off a countdown of the 80 greatest moments in the franchise’s illustrious history in reverse order called “Faithful Flashbacks.”

From Super Bowl-winning plays to overperforming teams that had minimal expectations, there’s plenty to choose from the team with five titles under its belt.

The voting was conducted by a handful of the Sactown Sports’ staffers before results were compiled into a full list that will countdown to the 49ers’ 2026 NFL regular season debut against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10th.

Faithful Flashbacks -- San Francisco 49ers 80 Best Moments

Not every memorable 49ers moment comes from a game-winning touchdown, a playoff comeback, or a Super Bowl run.

No. 60 on our Faithful Flashbacks is one of the stranger plays in NFL history.

On Oct. 25, 1964, the 49ers were hosting the Minnesota Vikings when Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall created a moment that still gets replayed. After recovering a fumble, Marshall took off with the ball towards the wrong end zone.

60 Years Ago Today
October 25, 1964

WRONG WAY MARSHALL#Vikings stalwart defensive end Jim Marshall returns a 49er fumble 66 yards — the wrong way — into his own end zone, scoring a safety for San Francisco on one of #NFL history’s most bizarre, unforgettable plays.

The… pic.twitter.com/MFS44XSWN3

— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) October 25, 2024

After carrying the ball 66 yards, he seemed to think he scored a touchdown, even throwing the ball to celebrate. Instead, the play resulted in a safety for the 49ers.

It remains one of the most famous mistakes, still appearing just as confusing on video. People in the moment seemed to slowly realize what was happening.

Funnily enough, Minnesota still beat San Francisco 27-22 that night. But Marshall sprinted in the wrong direction, and celebrating in the end zone was an unfortunate (for him) highlight, but

For the 49ers, while not a traditional highlight, it was memorable enough to make No. 76 on our list.

Often referred to as Marshall’s “wrong-way run,” it is one of those plays that has lived far beyond the game itself.