[3] His tenure with the Patriots was productive, but after an injury-shortened 1975 season he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he played in 1976 and 1977. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best game was a 27-17 victory over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl January 1, 1971. He received several accolades during his career, including the only Heisman Trophy (1970) in school history. His final seasons in a backup role included the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI. Download our Annual Report for more detailed information about our daily operations. He responded by throwing for 2,156 yards and 14 touchdowns as a 1968 sophomore before adding 2,673 yards and 20 scores as a 1969 junior, helping him to finish eighth in that years Heisman vote. [10], When Jim was growing up, the family's financial situation was a big problem for him. These days, Plunkett and wife Gerry still live in the Bay Area, in Atherton, about a five-minute drive from Stanford. 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. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. After having both knees replaced a few years ago, he says, Im in less pain. ''She had a bad experience on a plane a few years ago coming back from visiting her family in New Mexico. "They'd never faced a passing team such as ours," he said. Even Plunkett's buddies underestimated him occasionally. ''If they wanted to go somewhere, they went. In his first game as a starter, he completed eleven of fourteen passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. I didn't do things to put them out, though. His parents are blind. The year before, he was selected first overall in the draft, becoming the first Hispanic player to do so. ", In addition to mustering his physical skills, Plunkett had to change the coaches' perception of what a leader was. Prior to the 1976 NFL Draft, Plunkett was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for quarterback Tom Owen, two first-round picks in 1976, and a first and second-round pick in 1977. Browse, share, and add to our enormous collection of inspiring hero films. Plunkett received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member Roger Staubach in 1981. ''I tell people that one of the things that always annoyed my parents was having others thinking they were handicapped. Only two teams in NFL history have made two Super Bowl appearances in the same five-year period without a Hall of Fame or future Hall of Fame quarterback at the helm the Redskins (Mark Rypien and Doug Williams) and the Raiders (Jim Plunkett). On the field or in the studio, Andrew Luck is a guy you can build around. JIM PLUNKETT is on a roll. As a boy, Jim always dreamed of being in the NFL. Biography. ", I got so many great letters. An outstanding rookie year in the NFL with the New England Patriots preceded numerous injuries and a drift to the ranks of the ordinary. Had they insisted on it, the number of Heisman Trophy winners at Stanford would still be zero. It just felt unbelievable to me, Jim said, knowing what I did. Despite the fact that Andrew Lucks dazzling arm elevated the game to a whole new level, the notion that college football was primarily a running game was quickly overturned. His father died before his junior season and Plunkett made sure there was time to spend with his mother no matter how great the pressures at Stanford. He played in two Super Bowls and was named Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XV. ''I don't think she would have cared if I had quit, she always was worried about me getting hurt,'' he said. Submit your film TODAY!! Randy Vataha had the same misgivings when he transferred in as a junior. Andrew Luck, a rising star in the NFL, has established himself as one of the leagues best quarterbacks. Plunkett, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, rejected the idea, and Ralston redshirted him in 1967. His mother, Carmen, had not seen the outside world since she was 19 years old due to typhoid. "After 10 years and struggling with New England and San Francisco," he said, "that first one meant a lot to me.". For that, he collected a black and silver Toyota automobile and a Seiko watch from Sport magazine at a luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria last week. 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). America loved the kid. Plunkett was selected by the New England Patriots as the number one overall draft choice in 1971. Bill Parcells was the first Hispanic-American head coach of the NFL, and Tom Flores won two Super Bowl rings. He became the starting quarterback for the Raiders midway through the 1980 season. The 1971 Rose Bowl is regarded as the period when Stanford football returned to prominence. Read our IMPACT:blog to see how teachers, visitors and organizations around the world are using MY HERO to affect positive changes in the world. ''Especially in the parks,'' he recalled. Initially serving as a backup for the Raiders, Plunkett became the starting quarterback during the 1980 season and led them to win Super Bowl XV, where he was named MVP. My father, and later on my sisters, prepared most of the meals. His upbringing was difficult as both his parents, William and Carmen, were blind. [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. 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. Browse our About Page to get quick overviews of the different areas of MY HERO. He is estimated to be worth $10 million, with the majority of his money coming from his NFL career. William Plunkett first worked in the Richmond shipyards. Haz clic aqu para leer la historia sobre Jim Plunkett en espaol. Geez, you'd think that we could have seen pretty quickly that he could throw the ball.". 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. He did not like the area he lived in, often did not have money for dates, and avoided bringing friends to his house. But as far as shes concerned, its still a work in progress. Was he a child, a teen, or an adult?Bonus 100 pts: How old was he exactly? He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, released two seasons later, then signed by the Raiders. Plunkett was born to Mexican-American parents with an Irish-German grandfather on his paternal side. As a sophomore, 1968, he passed for 2,156 yards, a record in what was then the Pac-8 Conference. And suddenly, from near-oblivion, a rise again to the top as 1981 Super Bowl MVP. He was named Rookie of the Year that first season, but little worked out for either him or the team from that point on, and he took a steady beating behind the Pats' weak offensive line. It's the trudge of 15 surgeries and back pain that makes it difficult for him to stand for more than an hour at a time. When Jim was eight years old, his father died of a heart attack. While working as a news vendor, his father, William, was legally blind. '', Jim Plunkett works for the Peninsula Center for the Blind in the San Jose area. At this time, Heisman voters are spread out across five regions. ''I'd go there and help him,'' Jim Plunkett said. Born to blind parents, he worked several part-time jobs in high school to help support the family. He is also the only player to pass for 25, 882 yards, 164 touchdown passes, and 198 picks. And the people who grew close to him 40 years ago are the same ones who are closest to him today: a circle of love and mutual support that owes its origins to a team and a time that shaped Jim Plunkett's life, and those of many others. '', See the article in its original context from. The nice thing now is that with the money I'm making, she has no financial problems. Jim went to William C. Overfelt High School in the 9th and 10th grades and then transferred to and graduated from James Lick High School, both located in east San Jose, California. Thirty years ago this week, Plunkett led the Raiders to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. Health Scare Nearly Ends Plunkett's College Career 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. Jim Plunkett was born in San Jose, California, to parents of Native American and Hispanic descent. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981. Only his family means more, and even in that context, there is a special rapport. In a call with Rod Rust, the assistant coach who had recruited him, Plunkett relayed his fears. The world's most inspirational film competeition because of YOU. Plunkett then joined the Oakland Raiders in 1978, serving in a reserve capacity over the next two years, throwing no passes in 1978 and just fifteen in 1979. What was Jim Plunkett childhood like? Jim Plunkett is a remarkable man who has overcome many obstacles in his life. "I'm 10 years older than you," says a sportswriter celebrating his 72nd birthday. They were too busy taking care of my sisters and me. Before family and friends in Northern California, Plunkett had two inconsistent years with the 49ers and then was released before the 1978 season. His performance led to Plunkett playing in a state all-star game and that in turn led to interest from numerous colleges. This display of offensive firepower led Washington State coach Jim Sweeney to call Plunkett "The best college football player I've ever seen." Its a stark contrast to 1980, when Plunkett longed to leave Oakland in hopes of reinvigorating a fading career. When the San Francisco 49ers released Jim Plunkett in 1978, he was stubborn enough to believe that he could still be a useful quarterback somewhere. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius, and his ethnicity is white, making him an American by nationality. It foretold the enduring intensity of Plunkett's relationship with Stanford. General. Jim Plunkett, on the other hand, is well known as one of the most absent Raider. No rushing or total offense stats currently available for Plunkett. His reputation was severely hampered by his shadow, and he was ignored andunderappreciated. Some of them said my story gave them a new sense of purpose in life. The coaches realized everything had to be different, and they happened to discover the difference maker. With all the obstacles he went through, Jim never quit. View winning films from the MY HERO International Film Festival! ", Each former teammate, it seems, has a singular piece of lore. His father was a police officer and his mother was a homemaker. Jim was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. And in three of the four seasons before Plunkett's emergence, Stanford had gone 5-5. He also sits on the board at the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Palo Alto, supporting a cause close to his heart. . Jim Plunkett (Stanford University, 1970) was the runaway winner of the 1970 Heisman trophy as the nation's top college football player. Jim attended high school at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco. Although Plunkett passed for 19 touchdowns and led the Pats to a 7-7 record in 1974, injuries mounted. The massive arms of Plunkett transformed college football, changing the perception of the game from being a ground game to one that was exciting and fast. Jim was born in 1946, and was their only child. "Stanford is in both our hearts," says Gerry Plunkett, Jim's wife of 28 years, "because I see how very much it means to him.". Our type of system was almost perfect for Jim, Flores says. Jim Plunkett was a football quarterback for Stanford University from 1968-1970. Professionally created material to help you get started in hero film making! In the NFL, prospects who were expected to make big waves are frequently busts. Jims parents also gave him a fighting spirit because even though they were blind, they didnt want to be treated any differently than anyone else. Wanting to stay closer to home to help look after his parents, Plunkett decided to attend Stanford University. "The best college football player I've ever seen," said Washington State coach Jim Sweeney. 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). He is valued at Stanford not only for his academic achievements, but also for his humility and commitment as a student from the very beginning. The tumor turned out to be benign, but Plunkett has never forgotten the generosity shown by Rust. 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. Stanford, California 94305. 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. It proved to be one of the most astute decisions made by the Raiders oft-criticized owner. Tom Flores, then the Raiders coach, was not surprised. 1 pick in the 1971 draft. Prominent among the photos and memorabilia is a famous trophy depicting a football player in a classic stiff-arm pose. "We came so close to making an unbelievably catastrophic decision. Were jim plunkett's parents blind? 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. And he ended up an emblem of individual and shared achievement on a team that's linked forever by one revered season. He was inducted into the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. ''I know my mother didn't make the trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl because she doesn't fly anymore,'' he said. In an effort to aid the family's financial situation, Plunkett worked a series of odd jobs while growing up, including serving as a gas . Resisting the temptation to turn pro in 1970, Plunkett stayed for his senior season. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. (Photo: Timothy Archibald), BAND OF BROTHERS: With Jack Lasater, Randy Vataha, Bob Murphy and Jack Schultz. Rust didn't hesitate: We will honor your scholarship, he said. led four postseason wins. They delighted last summer in the wedding of their daughter, Meghan, but theyre still mourning the loss of their son, James Jr., who was 25 when he died in November 2008. It was probably very hard to live with blind parents, but Jim figured out a way to do it. But sometimes she would get too nervous to enjoy it. He was the first Latino to win the Heisman Trophy. He also shined the light back on everybody else.". He retired after undergoing 18 surgical procedures during his playing days. I still feel good when I think about it., Assistant coach Mike Whitewho later was head coach for Cal, the University of Illinois and the Oakland Raidersremembers vividly the doubts about whether Plunkett "could project enough" to motivate a team as a quarterback. They met at a school for the blind in San Jose where my mother was learning Braille. His mother lives in San Jose with Mary Ann, the younger of his two sisters. During his five seasons with the Pats, he was 23-38, completed 48.5% of his passes, threw 62 touchdown passes, and had 87 interception returns. "When I found out I'd finished second to Jim," said Theismann in 1984, "I was genuinely crushed. [13] The Patriots finished the season at 68 for fourth place in the AFC East. Number of electors: 1264 - Announced: November 24, 1970. They also helped Carmen with cooking and other household chores. Plunkett reflected that his life "sucks" as a result of his physical injuries. Plunkett's arrival ushered in an era of wide-open passing, pro-style offenses in the Pac-8, a trend that has continued to the present. Plunkett was the only quarterback who led his team to two Super Bowl victories, and he is the only starter to lead his team to two Super Bowl victories but is not eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Despite his lack of fame, his contributions will not go unnoticed. 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. He was traded in 1976 to the 49ers, and in 1980, joined the Oakland Raiders and quarterbacked them to two Super Bowl wins in 1980 and 1983, and was named the MVP of the 1980 match-up. Released from the 49ers after suffering further injuries, Plunkett signed with the Oakland Raiders for 1978. In 1968, he threw for 14 touchdowns and set a Pac-8 record with 2,156 yards passing. Wanting to stay near home and attend a university with strong academics, Plunkett selected Stanford over California, in part because the radical political environment in Berkeley could be hard on athletes. Knee and shoulder surgeries became almost commonplace, and after a season of limited play in 1975, he asked to be traded. His career began as a backup to Plunkett but he was never able to establish himself as a starter. I love my daughter. 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). 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. "I don't know where I would have gone," Plunkett says, "but I would have transferred. He led the team to a Pac-8 Conference championship and a berth in the 1971 Rose Bowl. Jim was out of football for two years, before being signed by the Oakland Raiders in 1979. Plunkett threw for 2,935 yards, 20 touchdown passes, and 18 picks in that season. Hearing the story again, Jim Plunkett, the One and Only, smiles and rolls his eyes to his wife's amusement. That game is credited with returning the Stanford football program to prominence, and Plunkett's performance helped established a template for what soon became a college football staple: offenses dedicated to passing the ball. Jim had many obstacles he had to overcome. She has high blood pressure. ACC 77. '', During his two years in oblivion, his mother was more concerned about him than his career. '', Jim Plunkett is reminded of that whenever he visits his mother now. Current head coach Jim Harbaugh describes Plunkett as an "iconic" figure, and as the school's only Heisman Trophy winner, Plunkett resides in a special place in Stanford's athletic pantheon. 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. Friends helped talk him out of retiring and, two weeks later, he signed with the Raiders. Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. Jim Plunkett wanted out, but Al Davis balked. Several worthy Raiders, including Daryl Lamonica, Cliff Branch, and Lester Hayes, are no longer present in Canton, Ohio. Visitors, teachers, students, and MY HERO staff publish all kinds of stories, from inspirational essays about a close friend, to important global issues. He played for the Patriots for four seasons, before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1975. The High Unemployment Rate Among Deaf People In Burundi. Plunkett spent most of the 19841986 seasons either injured or as a backup, and missed the entire 1987 season following rotator cuff surgery. Plunkett excelled in athletics from a young age and went on to attend Stanford University on a football scholarship. (optional), What is a news vendor? Every single one of the teams tenures has resulted in a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro selection, and the tenure has been disastrous. It was a memorable year as he surpassed many of his league records, passing for 2,715 yards and 18 touchdowns as Stanford went 8-3 and won the Pac-8. The biggest obstacle he faced was when he was 30 years old and played for the San Francisco 49ers. His father died of a heart problem in 1969. ''My sisters would bring a radio so she could listen to what was happening. 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. ''One parent always was taking care of the other. His successful junior campaign saw him set league records for touchdown passes (20), passing yards (2,673) and total offense (2,786). UCLA coach Tommy Prothro had called Plunkett the "best pro quarterback prospect I've ever seen", echoing Sweeney's words from the year prior. Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California on December 5th, 1947. The year of practice and no play helped Plunkett. Her dad was afraid she'd stay in New York. TUP 83. We provide safe, convenient and unique travel experience using intel, modern technology and quality resources, after considering all threats to ensure clients arrive safely at their destinations. While Jim Plunketts story is a well-known one, he is not a Hall of Fame quarterback; he is considered an unlikely figure in the movie industry. He earned the opportunity to start in 1968, and in his first game, completed ten of thirteen passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns, and never relinquished his hold on the starting spot. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. He was sacked six times in one game at Pittsburgh, on his way to 97 sacks over three seasons (1972-74). To this day he has a tendency to drop into the background, heightened sometimes by the pervasive sadness of his son's death. That goes to show that Jim Plunkett never ever gave up, even after everybody else did. . As he grew up, Jim learned how to be his parent's "eyes" by helping them cross the street. That's where he was a leader. As the No. Jim made great contributions to professional football because he helped the Raiders beat the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl. [20], Interviewed in 2017, Plunkett told of being in "constant pain" and discussed the effects of at least ten career concussions. It seems to me that Jim has a lot of courage because he played even when he was injured or in pain. . Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. Plunkett was born to William and Carmella Plunkett (his mother was Mexican, his father was also of Mexican descent) in San Jose Calif. His mother lost her sight when she was 20. Davis denied his trade request, Plunkett says, because he wanted the veteran available in case of emergency. But Plunkett was the face of the team's success, that strong chin like a pointer for his powerful arm. Jim Plunkett set records all three years he quarterbacked Stanford. He competed in basketball, baseball, track and wrestling - earning a California High School Individual Wrestling Championship. Today, he carries the various hurts he has sufferedphysical and emotionalgamely. It's the trudge that comes from aching knees, although they've been better since he had bone and cartilage replaced with titanium and Teflon a couple of years ago. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. When starting quarterback Dan Pastorini suffered a broken leg early in the 1980 season, Plunkett stepped in and led the Raiders all the way to a 27-10 Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing three TD passes and becoming the game's most valuable player. He grew up in a poor family and his parent's financial condition was extremely weak, his father was a news vendor who had to support his blind wife along with his three children. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Surgery for a benign tumor in his neck in August 1966 slowed him physically and academically during his first year at Stanford. [16] Arguments for induction focus on his two Super Bowl victories and Super Bowl MVP award, along with the personal challenges he overcame in the NFL. But in a Stanford timeline, the ultimate demarcation is Before Plunkett and After Plunkett. Rust, now 82, remembers making that promise impulsively, confident that Stanford would back him up. Plunkett was the first player of Hispanic heritage to be drafted with the first overall pick in the NFL draft. Leading James Lick High School in San Jose to an unbeaten season as a senior, he was chosen for a state all-star game and was heavily recruited by colleges. Born to blind parents, he worked odd jobs to help support his family as a teen and almost was forced to give up football when a cancerous lump was found in his neck during a physical examination before his freshman year at Stanford. . A Heisman Trophy winner and future College Football Hall of Fame inductee at Stanford,[2] Plunkett was selected first overall by the New England Patriots in the 1971 NFL Draft. "It surprised me that he was able to come back because I thought physically he had been so punished that he couldn't come back - and he certainly did," says Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi about Jim Plunkett on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series. "Years of getting my butt kicked," Plunkett says. A former rhythmic gymnastics powerhouseand current Stanford sophomoreexplains why shes OK with how things turned out. Plunkett capped his college career by leading Stanford to a 27-17 victory over undefeated No. An outstanding high school wrestler, Plunkett struck Ralston and his staff as someone they might convert to a defensive end. "I really thought I was going to be the savior," Plunkett said, "but all I did was put more pressure on myself.". Plunkett completed 16 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown in the game. He played quarterback on the schools football team and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1965 North Coast Section championship game. 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. He is a role model for never giving up. Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. Last Update: May 30, 2022. 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. Jim was a hard worker because, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he spent his time trying to improve. Armada Halogen is the leading technology powered travel security risk management company with swift response capabilities. 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.
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