The brilliant running back is the only player to have had the distinction of winning the Heisman Trophy, Rookie of the Year, Super  Bowl Most Valuable Player, NFL Most Valuable Player and Comeback Player of the Year awards, as well as being admitted to the NFL Hall of Fame.

In total, he ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,411 yards during his 15 years playing in the National Football League from 1982 to 1997. He scored 145 touchdowns, including a then record 123 rushing touchdowns. 

Marcus was a spectacularly successful running back for the University of Southern California from 1987 to 1981.  When he was drafted to play for Los Angeles Raiders in the NFL, his No 33 jersey was permanently retired by USC.

He is probably best remembered for his heroics in the 1984 Super Bowl against Washington Redskins when he ran for 191 yards, caught two passes for 18 yards, and scored two touchdowns in the Raiders 38-9 victory.  This included a 74-yard touchdown run, at the time the longest run in Super Bowl history.  His superlative display in the match won him the Most Valuable Player award.

In a nine year career with the Raiders, there were many other highlights.  In 1985 he rushed for 1,759 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 380 carries as he led the Raiders to a 12-4 record and the AFC West title and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player of the year.

He left Los Angeles Raiders for Kansas City Chiefs in 1993, teaming up with former San Francisco 49ers quarter-back great Joe Montana, where he scored 12 touchdowns as the Chiefs reached the AFC Championship Game. Although the Chiefs lost to Buffalo, he was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He retired after the 1997 season. 

Marcus was elected a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy in January 2007.