"I worried more about Stanford being good enough for Jim Plunkett," he says. Only his family means more, and even in that context, there is a special rapport. He was the first of three children born to James and Geraldine Plunkett. Early life []. Jim Plunkett set records all three years he quarterbacked Stanford. Click here to donate. 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. Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. 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. 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. Despite some impressive moments in the Silver and Black, he will never make the Hall of Fame. Surgery was required to remove a malignant tumor that would end his football playing days. . Although Plunkett passed for 19 touchdowns and led the Pats to a 7-7 record in 1974, injuries mounted. Jim Plunketts story is told in a film, and its a fascinating look at American football history. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. Plunketts Stanford career nearly ended before it began. Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. 1984 Topps Jim Plunkett | PSA CardFacts Every single one of the teams tenures has resulted in a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro selection, and the tenure has been disastrous. "Some of it has been wonderful and some of it has been absolutely horrific. Finally, after Pastorini suffered a broken leg in early October, Plunkett was pressed into service. The tumor turned out to be benign, but Plunkett has never forgotten the generosity shown by Rust. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. A few examples include players who were considered busts but rebounded to make their mark on the game. Continuing to be effective, Plunkett finished second in the NFL in passing yards in 1973, and in 1974 led the Patriots to an impressive 6-1 start, and the team's first non losing season in eight years, finishing second in the NFL in team scoring with 348 points, seven behind league leader Oakland. They were too busy taking care of my sisters and me. But Plunkett was the face of the team's success, that strong chin like a pointer for his powerful arm. [14] The Raiders, however, believing that Marc Wilson did not have the experience they wanted, called on Plunkett to start for the remainder of the year. Whenever we went on a trip, we usually took a bus. Wanting to stay closer to home to help look after his parents, Plunkett decided to attend Stanford University. Some of them said my story gave them a new sense of purpose in life. He is estimated to be worth $10 million, with the majority of his money coming from his NFL career. 111 Broadway, Suite 103A Andrew Luck is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time in college football. SPD 74. He became the second multiple recipient of the W.J. Health Scare Nearly Ends Plunkett's College Career Its still hard for me to talk about it, Plunkett says during a phone interview, his voice catching. But more than most athletes, he understands perspective. He was the starting quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal from 1968 to 1970. "When I found out I'd finished second to Jim," said Theismann in 1984, "I was genuinely crushed. But he's quick to turn conversations into the kind of comedic sparring he perfected in locker rooms. What happened to Hart was not unintended. RUN 80. His career began as a backup to Plunkett but he was never able to establish himself as a starter. ''My mother had her vision until she was about 20, but then she had an illness, scarlet fever I think it was. It was probably very hard to live with blind parents, but Jim figured out a way to do it. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Was he a child, a teen, or an adult?Bonus 100 pts: How old was he exactly? ''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. "I said iconic," notes Harbaugh, "but he lives it with such little fanfare. "We're as close as any group of guys can be," says Plunkett. In three seasons with the Indians, Jims total offensive records included most pass attempts (962); most pass completions (530); most net yards passing (7,544); most touchdown passes (52); most plays total offense (1,174); and most yards total offense (7,887). But there always seems to be something Stanford-oriented on his schedule, such as a dinner he hosted in September at his home for every quarterback on the Stanford roster. Wins over Oregon State and Washington nailed down the Pac-8 title and a January 1 Rose Bowl berth. [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. '', His father died at age 56 after Jim Plunkett's sophomore year at Stanford. Ball Carrier. Slow to recover from the surgery on his neck, Plunkett didn't impress anybody during spring practice at the end of his freshman year. My mother would tell us kids to take care of our father. . Carmen was also of Native American ancestry. Throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns, Plunkett was named the game's MVP; subsequently, Plunkett has the distinction of being the first minority to quarterback a team to a Super Bowl victory and the only Latino to be named Super Bowl MVP. The Remarkable Story Of Jim Plunkett: From Police Officer's Son To "It was almost a miracle," says White, "that Jim Plunkett showed up at Stanford exactly as we were searching for a new football identity.". Harbaugh, who has a reverence for football tradition, is emphatic about Plunkett's identity now. Jim Plunkett (born James William Plunkett, Jr. on December 5, 1947) was a U.S. football player. MAC 76. Once he reaches the Hall of Fame, Eli Manning should be among the first group of players voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. ", Plunkett, shy and modest, took a different view: "I wanted the Heisman, but my whole life wasn't centered on it.". 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. "We didn't want to live through that again.". He didn't want her to get burned on the stove.''. Plunkett was the first player of Hispanic heritage to be drafted with the first overall pick in the NFL draft. ''My parents were very stubborn,'' he said. Jim Plunkett (1990) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation In his first game as a starter, he completed eleven of fourteen passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. 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. Our type of system was almost perfect for Jim, Flores says. 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After returning to the backup role in 1983, Plunkett again assumed starting duties, this time after an injury to Marc Wilson. He was born to the parents of William Plunkett and Carmella Plunkett. 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. Browse, share, and add to our enormous collection of inspiring hero films. "He gutted out that entire run. ''I want to make the most of my situation,'' Jim Plunkett was saying now, alluding to his potential income from motion pictures, books, commercials, endorsements and corporate sponsors, ''but without compromising my integrity and dignity. [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. ''The thing I'm sorry for,'' he said, ''is that my father worked so hard but he wasn't around for the best part -winning the Heisman Trophy, going to the Rose Bowl, being the No. Plunkett, 63, is still involved with the Raiders, co-hosting a team-produced weekly television program, The Silver and Black Show, and sitting in Davis box during games. "He was on my shoulder the whole time," Moore recalls. From the Americans WhoTell the Truth portrait series. The nice thing now is that with the money I'm making, she has no financial problems. '', His mother is of Mexican heritage, his father was a mixture of German, Irish and Mexican. He also owns a beer distributorship. ''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.'' Since 1995, The MY HERO Project has been using media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity. Number of electors: 1264 - Announced: November 24, 1970. He also shined the light back on everybody else.". Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. 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. My father, and later on my sisters, prepared most of the meals. Stanford, CA 94305-6105. Learn more here. He retired during the 1988 pre-season as the fourth-leading passer in Raiders history. . They also helped Carmen with cooking and other household chores. Plunkett, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, rejected the idea, and Ralston redshirted him in 1967. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. They met while attending the California School for the Blind in Berkeley, and were married in 1934. 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. America loved the kid. The second title came after more struggles, after losing his starting job to Wilson and then regaining it after Wilson was injured. Nancy founded the Kelp Fest in 2009 in order to help local communities better understand and appreciate the kelp forest. 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. Plunkett, who on November 24 had been named the winner of the Heisman Trophy, directed a fourth-quarter comeback for an electrifying 27-17 upset over the Buckeyes. His final seasons in a backup role included the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI. ''I tell people that one of the things that always annoyed my parents was having others thinking they were handicapped. The press made much of his personal story. Voit Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Our gallery features art in the theme of heroism. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. Perhaps the most profound expression of the men's continuing devotion occurred during the anguish that overwhelmed them when the Plunketts' 25-year-old son Jimmy died two years ago. With a career total offense of 7,887 yards, including passing for 7,544, Plunkett set an NCAA record. Together they won Super Bowl XV, when Flores became the first minority . Jim was born in 1946, and was their only child. Plunkett capped his college career by leading Stanford to a 27-17 victory over undefeated No. But he taught us a new meaning to the word temperament as we rode his success. He is an inspiration to all who know him. 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. [10], When Jim was growing up, the family's financial situation was a big problem for him. ''My father was legally blind from birth, but he could get around.He could see a little bit. After graduation, Jim attended Stanford University on a football scholarship. He was also named the nations top football player in addition to winning the Maxwell Award. 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. No rushing or total offense stats currently available for Plunkett. We took a lot of walks because neither of my parents could drive. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. I know life goes on but its been devastating. Plunkett, who had assumed the starting quarterback job as a sophomore, piled up three seasons of record-breaking numbers, all long ago eclipsed by other Stanford players. 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. His 15 surgeries have included six on his left shoulder, one on his right shoulder, two on his neck and six on his knees. The day Plunkett threw a football 80. Watch our short introduction video for more information. Plunkett also carries innumerable physical scars from his playing days. As White notes, the Stanford coaching staff had learned football as mostly an exercise in running the ball. Haz clic aqu para leer la historia sobre Jim Plunkett en espaol. Three points are awarded for first place on a ballot, with two points for second place and one point for third place. The coaches realized everything had to be different, and they happened to discover the difference maker. 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. The Raiders advanced to Super Bowl XVIII, where they defeated the Washington Redskins, 389. 1973 Topps Jim Plunkett | PSA CardFacts Born to blind Mexican-American parents, Jim Plunkett beat the odds to make a name for himself. Jim Plunkett - Wikipedia This display of offensive firepower led Washington State coach Jim Sweeney to call Plunkett "The best college football player I've ever seen." "I wasn't an in-your-face guy." It proved to be one of the most astute decisions made by the Raiders oft-criticized owner. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. Jims son jumped from a high-rise apartment building four years ago while suffering from severe manic depression. ''So if I had quit, she probably would have liked that. Submit your film TODAY!! The surgery required to remove a malignant tumor would end his football playing days. When the dog began to display some nervous aggression, Meghan despaired. Plunkett threw for 2,935 yards, 20 touchdown passes, and 18 picks in that season. "I'm proud of that game," Plunkett said of Oakland's 27-10 victory over Philadelphia. '', His mother attended the 1971 Rose Bowl game that Stanford won, 27-17, from Ohio State. By this time, Jim's two older sisters, Genevieve (16 years older than Jim) and Mary Ann (5 years older than Jim) had been born; Jim was born in 1947, after the family had moved to Santa Clara. Jim also had two sisters. ''I'd go there and help him,'' Jim Plunkett said. He retired after undergoing 18 surgical procedures during his playing days. Today, he carries the various hurts he has sufferedphysical and emotionalgamely. 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. Armada Halogen is the leading technology powered travel security risk management company with swift response capabilities. He was a hard-knocks kid from San Jose, a Mexican-American with an Irish surname, who gravitated to Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. Two weeks later, Stanford beat UCLA for the first time in eight years. JIM PLUNKETT is on a roll. After Jimmy's death, Meghan chose to keep the dog with her in part to honor what she believed would have been her brother's wish. TUP 83. The Oakland Raiders have had a total of 25 members inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including players, executives, and coaches. For his career, Plunkett completed 1,943-of-3,701 passes for 25,882 yards with 164 touchdowns and 198 interceptions. However, the tumor turned out to be benign and Plunkett was given a clean bill of health. The year of practice and no play helped Plunkett. Hearing the story again, Jim Plunkett, the One and Only, smiles and rolls his eyes to his wife's amusement. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. Had they insisted on it, the number of Heisman Trophy winners at Stanford would still be zero. 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). A former rhythmic gymnastics powerhouseand current Stanford sophomoreexplains why shes OK with how things turned out. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. 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. In the spring, his daughter, Meghan Plunkett, graduated with a business and marketing degree from Manhattan College in New York, which she attended on a volleyball scholarship. Teammates never doubted who was in command if they didn't do their jobs. Plunkett's pro career started promisingly after the New England Patriots made him the No. ''My sisters would bring a radio so she could listen to what was happening. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. 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. His father was born legally blind but, with thick enough glasses, could get around, even serving as the cook of the family. Plunkett led the 49ers to a 61 start before faltering to an 86 record. Jim Plunkett was born in San Jose, California, to parents of Native American and Hispanic descent. Though Plunkett threw five interceptions in the 31-17 defeat, he got the start the next week for the 2-3 Raiders, who thought rookie Marc Wilson was too green. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. It was never "just football" to them, Schultz remembers. Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center What was Jim Plunkett childhood like? He was a quarterback, although the coaches weren't so sure he should be. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. 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. [13] The Patriots finished the season at 68 for fourth place in the AFC East. ", Plunkett's against-the-odds story drew legions of fans, including some who were only casual football rooters. His successful junior campaign saw him set league records for touchdown passes (20), passing yards (2,673) and total offense (2,786). He led the team to a Pac-8 Conference championship and a berth in the 1971 Rose Bowl. Completing 13-of-21 passes and three scoring strikes, two to Cliff Branch and an 80-yarder to Kenny King, he accounted for all of Oakland's touchdowns in the 27-10 victory. The most celebrated player in Stanford football history came from just down the road, and a world away.
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