His parents were poor and blind, but they were very proud. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. In 1971, he was drafted by the New England Patriots, and he went on to have a successful career in the NFL. He also owns a beer distributorship. While at Stanford he joined Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. Yasmine Sherif, who leads Education Cannot Wait, a UN-hosted, global fund for education in emergencies. "I said iconic," notes Harbaugh, "but he lives it with such little fanfare. '', His mother attended the 1971 Rose Bowl game that Stanford won, 27-17, from Ohio State. Jim Plunketts nomination to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is fraught with controversy. For any number of questions about what sustains Plunkett, what fulfills him, there is just one answer: "I love my wife. Thirty years ago this week, Plunkett led the Raiders to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. The USC game fell halfway into that 1970 season. Her dad was afraid she'd stay in New York. It hasn't all been laughs. Had they insisted on it, the number of Heisman Trophy winners at Stanford would still be zero. That goes to show that Jim Plunkett never ever gave up, even after everybody else did. But as far as shes concerned, its still a work in progress. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He will always be remembered as one of the Silver and Blacks best players, and his exploits in the teams past will live on after his playing days are over. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. 1 choice in the N.F.L. Early life []. Plunkett was born December 5, 1947 in Santa Clara, California and was a high school star there. Plunkett, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, rejected the idea, and Ralston redshirted him in 1967. His reputation was severely hampered by his shadow, and he was ignored andunderappreciated. He played in two Super Bowls and was named Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XV. Rust's mother had gone blind, and he related so strongly to the Plunkett family's closeness that he had moved beyond any concern about what Plunkett could contribute to Stanford. Together they won Super Bowl XV, when Flores became the first minority . Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best . Plunkett led the 49ers to a 61 start before faltering to an 86 record. MAC 76. The nice thing now is that with the money I'm making, she has no financial problems. Is it a person who sells newspapers or a company that makes newspapers?, Name 2 other sports that Jim played. "I'd never been in a losing situation before.". His parents in San Jose were both blind, and his father died his junior year, so Plunkett and his sisters worked to support their mother. 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Plunkett didn't stop there. [12] His performance originally caused head coach John Ralston to switch him to defensive end, but Plunkett was adamant in remaining at quarterback, throwing 500 to 1,000 passes every day to polish his arm. He was a star quarterback in high school, and went on to play for Stanford University. His father William died of a heart attack in 1969. But it's not so much a walk as a trudge. ''Even at my age,'' he said with a laugh, ''when I walk in and hug her, she reaches for the top of my head and feels the hair in the back to see if I need a haircut. "We came so close to making an unbelievably catastrophic decision. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. Upon entering Stanford University, Plunkett endured a rough freshman campaign after being weakened by a thyroid operation. Voit Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Sometimes the measure of a hero isnt that he did something amazing, but that he inspires many people. Plunkett's Stanford career nearly ended before it began. ", Plunkett, shy and modest, took a different view: "I wanted the Heisman, but my whole life wasn't centered on it.". With a Super Bowl MVP in hand, Plunkett's comeback season was complete. Poor Jim Plunkett. Later in his career, the Raiders moved to Los Angeles. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best game was a 27-17 victory over Ohio . [1][18] Similar debates occurred in relation to Ken Stabler, another Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Raiders, who missed being elected into the Hall for 25 years before being elected posthumously in 2016. 111 Broadway, Suite 103A Before family and friends in Northern California, Plunkett had two inconsistent years with the 49ers and then was released before the 1978 season. Jim Plunketts parents, Jack and Aletha, were both blind. The biggest obstacle he faced was when he was 30 years old and played for the San Francisco 49ers. After that, she was totally blind. Finally, after Pastorini suffered a broken leg in early October, Plunkett was pressed into service. While working as a news vendor, his father, William, was legally blind. He could have graduated the previous June, skipped his remaining year of I didn't do things to put them out, though. After returning to the backup role in 1983, Plunkett again assumed starting duties, this time after an injury to Marc Wilson. Visitors, teachers, students, and MY HERO staff publish all kinds of stories, from inspirational essays about a close friend, to important global issues. He retired as the only NFL quarterback to win two Super Bowls with the same franchise in different cities, winning his first while the Raiders were in Oakland and his second while they were in Los Angeles. Every single one of the teams tenures has resulted in a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro selection, and the tenure has been disastrous. [8] Plunkett's parents were both born in New Mexico, both Mexican Americans; his mother, whose maiden name was Carmen Blea, was born in Santa Fe and his father, William Gutierrez Plunkett, was born in Albuquerque. I know life goes on but its been devastating. He wasnt selected to the Pro Bowl, never made the All-Pro team, and completed less than half of his passes. He then capped his collegiate career by leading Stanford to a 27-17 upset of unbeaten Ohio State in the 1971 Rose Bowl, completing 20-of-30 passes for 265 yards and one touchdown. He also helped them get their own food and stuff. There was a famous juncture at which Stanford head coach John Ralston, an eventual college football Hall of Famer, almost coached Plunkett out of quarterback contention. Prominent among the photos and memorabilia is a famous trophy depicting a football player in a classic stiff-arm pose. "But there was no hint whatsoever of jealousy for all of the accolades and attention being heaped on Jim. Plunkett, the most celebrated player in Stanford history, won his schools first Heisman after leading the Indians to an 8-3 record and a Rose Bowl berth. He was tall in the pocket, very powerful, a strong leader. With all the obstacles he went through, Jim never quit. Plunkett, who did not take a salary but used his newspaper delivery job to supplement his income, played football for the majority of his life. Moore, a tight end who went on to an eight-year NFL career, talked himself into a one-on-one foot race with Plunkett the summer before their senior season, when players gave up trips home and time off to continue training together. led four postseason wins. The second title came after more struggles, after losing his starting job to Wilson and then regaining it after Wilson was injured. Then followed three sensational seasons at Stanford, culminating with the 1970 Heisman Trophy. ''I tell people that one of the things that always annoyed my parents was having others thinking they were handicapped. His parents were both blind. The First Deaf Player In The NHL: Jim Kyte. Although Plunkett is easily spotted at Stanford events and extends his help to each new generation of athletes, his connection to Lasater, Moore, Schultz and Vataha is part of his identity. ''During those two years when I didn't play, it was tough for me,'' he said, ''but I was able to put it in perspective.'' An outstanding rookie year in the NFL with the New England Patriots preceded numerous injuries and a drift to the ranks of the ordinary. They are a permanent set: Plunk, Red, B.M., Schultzie and Rabbit. Plunkett guided Oakland to nine victories in eleven games and a playoff berth as a wild card. Jim was out of football for two years, before being signed by the Oakland Raiders in 1979. His dad sold newspapers at a corner stand in San Jose, right outside San Francisco. At Stanford, Plunkett set a school records for passing yards (2,156) and touchdowns (14) as a sophomore, and then broke those records in subsequent seasons finishing his NCAA career with 7,809 passing yards and 53 touchdowns. Learn more about select judges in the MY HERO International Film Festival. Plunkett's parents were both born in New Mexico, both Mexican Americans; his mother, whose maiden name was Carmen Blea, was born in Santa Fe and his father, William Gutierrez Plunkett, was born in Albuquerque. He was the youngest of three children and his parents divorced when he was just a toddler. They rallied around him and he just rose to the occasion, making big plays in big games.. Andrew Luck, a rising star in the NFL, has established himself as one of the leagues best quarterbacks. PAC 81. Despite his lack of fame, his contributions will not go unnoticed. They later moved to San Jose where William ran a newsstand, and where they were able to find low-cost housing. When the Heisman vote was announced, Plunkett had won by a wide margin. "You got the look from Jim," recalls Vataha, a wide receiver, "and the look was not comfortable. "You look a lot worse than that," Plunkett responds. During training camp in 1980, Plunkett asked to be traded because he expected to have virtually no playing time again. But none of it came easily. From the Americans WhoTell the Truth portrait series. ''My sisters would bring a radio so she could listen to what was happening. [4] In 1983, Plunkett again ascended from backup to starter to quarterback the relocated Los Angeles Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XVIII. But sometimes I'd forget. In 1971, he was drafted with the first overall pick in the NFL draft by the New England Patriots (the team was still known as the Boston Patriots at the time of the draft; the name change to New England did not become official until March 21 of that year). "I don't know where I would have gone," Plunkett says, "but I would have transferred. But when I wanted to keep playing, she understood that, too. He worked from an early age, cleaning up at a gas station while in elementary school, delivering newspapers, bagging groceries, and working in orchards. His mother lives in San Jose with Mary Ann, the younger of his two sisters. At 30, Plunkett considered quitting, but two weeks later the Raiders' Davis signed him to a three-year contract for a total of $465,000. Jim Plunkett is the only NFL quarterback to win Super Bowls with the same team in both Oakland and Los Angeles (with the same team in both cities). For his career, Plunkett completed 1,943-of-3,701 passes for 25,882 yards with 164 touchdowns and 198 interceptions. Two weeks later, Stanford beat UCLA for the first time in eight years. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. He was born to the parents of William Plunkett and Carmella Plunkett. ", In 2009, Jim, Gerry and their daughter, Meghan, filmed an episode of the TV program Dog Whisperer (scheduled to air in October 2010) featuring the pit bull, Gotti, that had belonged to Jimmy. His junior year was even better when he set league records for touchdown passes (20), passing yards (2,673) and total offense (2,786), ranking third nationally in total offense and fifth in passing. Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California, on December 5, 1947. The first time he demonstrated athletic promise was at the age of 14, when he won a throwing contest with a toss of over 60 yards. His performance led to Plunkett playing in a state all-star game and that in turn led to interest from numerous colleges. Fortunately, he says, I was able to take advantage.. Once in the press box, he growls "lousy" when asked how he's feeling. His excellent arm strength and precision made him attractive to pro teams that relied much more heavily on the passing game than most college teams of the late 1960s. And then there's family. And while he is a celebrity, he is hoping to complete a pass at the Raiders' treasury for a new contract that might double his $180,000 annual salary. His parents were blind from the start. He spent 12 years in the NFL, beginning with the Philadelphia 76ers and continuing with the Washington Redskins, Oakland As, and Philadelphia 76ers. Plunkett was selected by the New England Patriots as the number one overall draft choice in 1971. He didn't play well for the freshman team, and when his performance didn't improve the next spring, coach John Ralston suggested a switch to defensive end. Voit Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. And our father would tell us to take care of our mother. He was inducted into the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. Otherwise, Plunkett might not have been playing for the Oakland Raiders in the fall of 1980, when the Heisman Trophy winner from Stanford jump-started an improbable career resurrection that culminated in two Super Bowl victories. And suddenly, from near-oblivion, a rise again to the top as 1981 Super Bowl MVP. He played for the last time in 1986, his injuries and pain settling the issue. A month before his enrollment, Plunkett was told by doctors that the lump he had felt at the base of his neck was cancerous. '', During his two years in oblivion, his mother was more concerned about him than his career. Plunkett, the most celebrated player in Stanford history, won his school's first Heisman after leading the Indians to an 8-3 record and a Rose Bowl berth. In addition, the American College Football Coaches Association designated him as their Offensive Player of the Year. A doctor discovered a thyroid tumor, which nearly ended his college career. With a career total offense of 7,887 yards, including passing for 7,544, Plunkett set an NCAA record. As a result, he is revered not only for his achievements at Stanford, but also for his humility and loyalty from the start. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, before being released in 1977. (Photo: Courtesy Jim Plunkett), HISTORY LESSON: The memorabilia room in Plunketts home is a reminder of his playing days, as are his knees, replaced a few years ago with titanium and Teflon. Despite some impressive moments in the Silver and Black, he will never make the Hall of Fame. In his first game as a starter, he completed eleven of fourteen passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. 3 quarterback, Plunkett didn't play in 1978. Our gallery features art in the theme of heroism. It was probably very hard to live with blind parents, but Jim figured out a way to do it. If Plunkett was a leading passer, he was also a sentimental favorite. At Stanford, Plunkett set a school records for passing yards (2,156) and touchdowns (14) as a sophomore, and then broke those records in subsequent seasons finishing his NCAA career with 7,809 passing yards and 53 touchdowns. I remember them saying that they weren't handicapped, that they could do just about anything except see. Plunkett threw for 2,935 yards, 20 touchdown passes, and 18 picks in that season. After two seasons as a backup to Ken Stabler, Plunkett opened the 1980 season backing up newcomer Dan Pastorini, whod been acquired in a trade for Stabler. His successful junior campaign saw him set league records for touchdown passes (20), passing yards (2,673) and total offense (2,786). Three points are awarded for first place on a ballot, with two points for second place and one point for third place. Nancy founded the Kelp Fest in 2009 in order to help local communities better understand and appreciate the kelp forest. Success as a California high school quarterback was followed by an unsteady start in college, a beginning in which his coach almost took the ball from his hands. For years he has opened the guesthouse at his Atherton home to Stanford athletes ex-quarterback Tavita Pritchard, '10, is the current resident. Jim Plunkett arrived with other young playersJack Lasater, Bob Moore, Jack Schultzwho, like him, felt the pangs of being an outsider. Jim Plunkett is my hero because he inspires me to never give up. Number of electors: 1264 - Announced: November 24, 1970. The most celebrated player in Stanford football history came from just down the road, and a world away. Rallying the Raiders from a 2-3 start, he capped his comeback season by passing for three touchdowns in a most-valuable-player performance in the Super Bowl. Tara VanDerveer took the Cardinal from doormat to dynamo and helped boost womens athletics. The next season, he threw only 15 passes. He also shined the light back on everybody else.". In 1983, Plunkett followed a similar script, this time taking the reins from Marc Wilson at midseason and helping the Raiders to their third and most recent NFL title. THP 86. The once-reticent Plunkett does Raiders postgame radio interviews and a weekly TV highlights show and gives corporate speeches. AWR 80. Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. But Plunkett was the face of the team's success, that strong chin like a pointer for his powerful arm. He was the first Latino to win the Heisman Trophy. It proved to be one of the most astute decisions made by the Raiders oft-criticized owner. At Stanford, Plunkett set a school records for passing yards (2,156) and touchdowns (14) as a sophomore, and then broke those records in subsequent seasons finishing his NCAA career with 7,809 passing yards and 53 touchdowns. ''If they wanted to go somewhere, they went. He did radio and television interviews after retiring from football, as well as weekly highlights shows on television, following his playing days. "We're as close as any group of guys can be," says Plunkett. America loved the kid. Then he threw for 261 yards again in the Super Bowl. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, released two seasons later, then signed by the Raiders. [10], When Jim was growing up, the family's financial situation was a big problem for him. Plunkett is on the Hall of Fame wall at James Lick. Biography. He was named the Super Bowl MVP, becoming the first deaf player to win the award. The 1972 season brought a different look: only eight touchdown passes, 25 interceptions (up from 16 as a rookie), a 3-11 record and many hard knocks. Plunkett excelled in athletics from a young age and went on to attend Stanford University on a football scholarship. The answer is no. Jim got cut after everyone called him washed up. Then, in 1980, he was picked up by the Oakland Raiders and led them to the Super Bowl. He was a good student and an excellent athlete. After a 59 season in 1977, the 49ers released him during the 1978 preseason. They met while attending the California School for the Blind in Berkeley, and were married in 1934. Plunkett grew up in San Jose, California, the son of parents who were Native American and Hispanic. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year then He holds the Raider record, and is tied for the league record, for the longest career pass, which occurred during a 99-yard pass play against the Washington Redskins on October 2, 1983. When Gerry Plunkett recently won her sixth Stanford Women's Golf Club championshipshe and Jim are avid players she told friends that an appropriate celebration should have included temporarily covering up her husband's Heisman, just to emphasize her moment in the spotlight. I was supposed to make my bed, but if I didn't, she'd walk in and feel the bed to see if I had. "After 10 years and struggling with New England and San Francisco," he said, "that first one meant a lot to me.". Armada Halogen is the leading technology powered travel security risk management company with swift response capabilities. General. He received several accolades during his career, including the only Heisman Trophy (1970) in school history. Was he a child, a teen, or an adult?Bonus 100 pts: How old was he exactly? In his high school years, he worked during the summer.[11]. [21], Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 01:58, List of NCAA major college football yearly passing leaders, List of NCAA major college football yearly total offense leaders, "HOF Voter: Jim Plunkett Would Not Get My Vote", "Jim Plunkett and the Pro Football Hall of Fame", "Jim Plunkett's road to Super Bowl champion wasn't always smooth", "Greatest Cinderella stories in NFL history", "Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders Franchise Encyclopedia", "Oakland Raiders Quarterback Jim Plunkett vs. Denver Broncos Quarterback John Elway: Fan Take", "Why Raiders QB Jim Plunkett is not a Hall of Famer", "Barnwell: How the 'average' NFL QB has changed dramatically", "A Deeper Look at the Stabler Hall of Fame Debate", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement", "Former NFL quarterback Jim Plunkett opens up on health: 'My life sucks', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jim_Plunkett&oldid=1140846577, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 01:58. "I worried more about Stanford being good enough for Jim Plunkett," he says. What John Sande, '71, the team's center, remembers is a sound. A month before his enrollment, Plunkett was told by doctors that the lump he had felt at the base of his neck was cancerous. His parents were poor and blind, but they were very proud. As a result, he was raised by his mother who worked as a secretary to support the family. In junior high school, he became a passing quarterback. But Plunkett suffered a left shoulder separation early in the 1975 season, giving rookie Steve Grogan, who would become a fixture with the club for 16 seasons, extensive experience, and under the leadership of coach Chuck Fairbanks, New England's offense became more run-oriented, led by Sam Cunningham. He set a new Pacific 8 record with 2,156 yards passing and 14 touchdown passes in his first season as a Stanford quarterback. I have taught linguistics and phonetics at multiple universities for the past 15 years.Technology has made exciting advances in phonetics, the science concerned with the structure and function of human speech, in recent years. His 15 surgeries have included six on his left shoulder, one on his right shoulder, two on his neck and six on his knees. William Plunkett ran a newsstand in San Jose, but struggled to care for his wife . He played quarterback on the schools football team and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1965 North Coast Section championship game. In 1983, Marc Wilson was the Raiders starter who went down hurt, and Plunkett again came off the bench, and again spurred the team to a Super Bowl championship, a 38-9 trouncing of the Washington Redskins. Jim Plunkett was born in San Jose, California, to parents of Native American and Hispanic descent. 326 Galvez Street [17] The arguments against his induction center on Plunkett having only three winning seasons, unimpressive career statistics, and no Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections. UCLA coach Tommy Prothro had called Plunkett the "best pro quarterback prospect I've ever seen", echoing Sweeney's words from the year prior. Last Update: May 30, 2022. "I really thought I was going to be the savior," Plunkett said, "but all I did was put more pressure on myself.". "I'm 10 years older than you," says a sportswriter celebrating his 72nd birthday. (Photo: Timothy Archibald). Jim Plunketts story is something out of a movie, and he has his rightful place in history, but he is not a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is a role model for never giving up. Plunkett received the Voit Trophy in both 1969 and 1970. Other quarterbacks who started for two Super Bowl winning teams but are not yet members of the Hall of Fame include Joe Gibbs Washington Redskins (Mark Rypien and Doug Williams), Tom Flores Oakland Raiders (Jim Plunkett), and Warren Moons San Francisco 49ers (Don Maynard). It's another thread of allegiance in a life emblazoned by attachments formed under exceptional circumstances. The Raiders became the first team from the Wild Card era to win a Super Bowl. Four hours before a Raiders preseason game in Oakland, Plunkett can walk in relative anonymity through the smattering of fans near the stadium's press entrance. "The best college football player I've ever seen," said Washington State coach Jim Sweeney. Jim Plunketts story is told in a film, and its a fascinating look at American football history. the combining form for plasma minus the clotting proteins is jim plunkett parents blind His career began as a backup to Plunkett but he was never able to establish himself as a starter. The defense included linebacker Jeff Siemon, '72, and tackle Pete Lazetich, '72, who became first-team All-Americans the following season and helped lead Stanford back to the Rose Bowl. "People had read about my parents, about my family life growing up," says Plunkett, his voice catching. Plunkett was born on Dec. 5, 1947, in San Jose, Calif., the youngest of three children. His mind only replays moments; his body replays every minute of damage. He sat out all of 1987 with a shoulder injury and his NFL career ended in the 1988 preseason when, at 40, the Raiders released him. 1 pick in the 1971 draft had been all but branded an NFL washout, his promising rookie-of-the-year season with the New England Patriots notwithstanding. He was sacked six times in one game at Pittsburgh, on his way to 97 sacks over three seasons (1972-74). But he taught us a new meaning to the word temperament as we rode his success. He became the starting quarterback for the Raiders midway through the 1980 season. In the "Year of the Quarterback," he was voted the Heisman Trophy, easily beating out Notre Dame's Joe Theismann and Mississippi's Archie Manning. ACC 77. In the 1984 Super Bowl, Plunkett passed for 172 yards and one touchdown in the Raiders' 38-9 rout of Washington, to that point the biggest Super Bowl victory margin. Plunketts Stanford career nearly ended before it began. Enter the 2022 MY Hero Songwriting/Music Video Contest! After surgery, Plunkett resumed playing too quickly and performed so poorly on the freshman team that then-Stanford coach John Ralston asked him to switch to defensive end. Jims son jumped from a high-rise apartment building four years ago while suffering from severe manic depression. The tumor turned out to be benign, but Plunkett has never forgotten the generosity shown by Rust. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. MY HERO Project seeks unique works of art by professional and student artists that celebrate the lives and courageous acts of heroes who work to promote change by positively affecting others and their communities.
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