Arthur Marshall, the former Denver Broncos and New York Giants wide receiver who tied an NFL record with an 81-yard touchdown pass in 1992, has died at the age of 57 following a battle with stomach cancer, his family confirmed.
Arthur Marshall, a former Giants and Broncos receiver who tied an NFL record in 1992 with an 81-yard touchdown pass, died on 2 September 2026 at the age of 57, according to multiple reports, following a battle with stomach cancer. His obituary described him as someone whose legacy extended well beyond football, reading: “A former professional NFL athlete, Arthur carried strength and determination throughout his life, but those who knew him best will remember him most for the size of his heart. He was a giver by nature-generous with his time, love, encouragement, and support. He genuinely cared for people and found joy in helping others.”
An unusual NFL career
Marshall went undrafted in 1992 following a college career at the University of Georgia, where he had been a big-play receiver, finishing with 65 receptions for 1,166 yards and four touchdowns. A serious leg injury during his junior year, which required the insertion of a metal rod, is reported to have hurt his draft prospects and contributed to him going unselected.
Despite going undrafted, Marshall quickly became an important part of the Denver Broncos’ offense as a rookie, recording 26 catches for 493 yards and a touchdown, an average of 19 yards per reception that earned him All-Rookie honours.
The record-tying touchdown
Marshall’s most famous moment came during a December 1992 game against the Dallas Cowboys, when he caught the ball on a reverse before throwing an 81-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman, an unusual feat for a wide receiver rather than a quarterback. The play gave Denver a 27-24 lead with 9:05 remaining, though the Cowboys ultimately won 31-27 after a late touchdown drive led by Troy Aikman.
The completion tied Gary Hammond’s NFL record for the longest completed pass by a non-quarterback, a record that stood until Pittsburgh punter Josh Miller matched it with his own 81-yard pass in 2003. Remarkably, Marshall’s passing career in the NFL consisted of just two attempts, both of which went for touchdowns: the 81-yard score in 1992, and a further 30-yard touchdown pass in 1993. He finished his NFL career with a perfect 100% completion rate as a passer and a 158.3 passer rating, having never thrown an interception.
From Denver to New York
Marshall spent two seasons with the Broncos before being traded to the New York Giants, where he finished out his career between 1994 and 1996, adding 414 receiving yards and a touchdown during his time with the team. Across his full five-season NFL career, Marshall recorded 87 receptions for 1,267 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Beyond his role as a receiver, Marshall also contributed as a punt and kickoff returner throughout his career, both with Denver and later with the Giants, finishing with 590 punt-return yards and 381 kickoff-return yards.
Life after football
Following his retirement from the NFL, Marshall returned to his roots in Georgia, where he had grown up in Hephzibah as one of eight siblings. He was inducted into the Hephzibah High School Hall of Fame in 2003, recognising his standout achievements as both an athlete and student at the school.
Marshall’s post-football life was not without difficulty. In 2009, he was convicted in a mortgage-fraud case and ultimately served almost six years in prison, in addition to being ordered to pay approximately $3.6 million in restitution. Despite these later struggles, his obituary portrays him primarily as a man remembered for his generosity, encouragement and willingness to help others, and his death has generated considerable attention within his hometown community in Georgia.
