Arthur Marshall, a former wide receiver for the New York Giants and Denver Broncos, died Wednesday at the age of 57. His death followed a battle with stomach cancer, according to multiple reports.
During his rookie season in 1992 with the Broncos, Marshall connected with Cedric Tillman on an 81-yard touchdown pass, a play that tied an NFL record for the longest completed pass by a non-quarterback. The touchdown provided Denver with its only lead in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Marshall went undrafted out of college at Georgia and initially signed with the Broncos, where he recorded 853 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He was later traded to the Giants, playing for them for three seasons from 1994 to 1996. With the Giants, he accumulated 414 receiving yards and one touchdown, also contributing as a kick returner.
Daniel Dorsey, head coach at Marshall's alma mater, Hephzibah High School in Georgia, recalled Marshall's impact on the field, noting his versatility across offense, defense, and special teams. Dorsey added that Marshall's journey from high school to the NFL was an inspiration, demonstrating what can be achieved through determination.
Marshall was inducted into the Hephzibah Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2009, he was sentenced to 69 months in prison for mortgage fraud and ordered to pay $3.6 million to his victims.