He worked from an early age, cleaning up at a gas station while in elementary school, delivering newspapers, bagging groceries, and working in orchards. From the spoken words of influential leaders, to emotionally powerful lyrics in a song, heroic audio is all around us. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. Andrew Luck, a rising star in the NFL, has established himself as one of the leagues best quarterbacks. In college, however, Jim won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to the Rose bowl. The opponent: undefeated and heavily favored Ohio State. Any time that I didn't do that, I heard about it. "The show became kind of a tribute to him.". 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. Three years later, Plunkett helped Oakland to another Super Bowl triumph, this one over Washington. ''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. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the New England Revolution and San Francisco 49ers before being released by both organizations in 1978. As a result, he was raised by his mother who worked as a secretary to support the family. The family lived in relative poverty, and received state financial aid. Prior to retiring, he earned between $400,000 and $600,000 per year. ''She also went to some of the Stanford games in Palo Alto,'' he said. . Check out the Jim Plunkett Hispanic Heritage 83 item on Madden NFL 23 - Ratings, Prices and more! While at Stanford he joined Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. He would have been so proud to have been around all that. He retired during the 1988 pre-season as the fourth-leading passer in Raiders history. Knee and shoulder surgeries became almost commonplace, and after a season of limited play in 1975, he asked to be traded. The year of practice and no play helped Plunkett. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best . '', William Plunkett had a news stand in San Jose, Calif., at first in the Post Office building, later in the Unemployment Office. It was probably very hard to live with blind parents, but Jim figured out a way to do it. As a boy, Jim always dreamed of being in the NFL. My father wouldn't let my mother cook. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, before being released in 1977. 1 pick in the 1971 draft. 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 learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. New England also influenced the AFC East championship race, as Plunkett's 88-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to former Stanford teammate Randy Vataha on the final day of the season dropped the Baltimore Colts to a 1040 record and into second place in the division behind the 1031 Miami Dolphins. September 1st is the final deadline to submit work for the 2022 International Film Festival! Today, he carries the various hurts he has sufferedphysical and emotionalgamely. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. "Bob [Moore] and Jack Schultz came to our house every day," Gerry Plunkett recalls. Carmen was also of Native American ancestry. Plunkett completed 16 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown in the game. Upon entering Stanford University, Plunkett endured a rough freshman campaign after being weakened by a thyroid operation. The Oakland Raiders have had a total of 25 members inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including players, executives, and coaches. Wins over Oregon State and Washington nailed down the Pac-8 title and a January 1 Rose Bowl berth. "Many people felt I was washed up, and I wasn't sure they were wrong. 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. He competed in basketball, baseball, track and wrestling - earning a California High School Individual Wrestling Championship. In his high school years, he worked during the summer.[11]. They are a permanent set: Plunk, Red, B.M., Schultzie and Rabbit. . James William "Jim" Plunkett (born December 5, 1947) is a former American football quarterback who played college football . Plunkett also carries innumerable physical scars from his playing days. It proved to be one of the most astute decisions made by the Raiders oft-criticized owner. 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. Jim also had two sisters. Plunkett was also selected first overall in the 1971 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. Plunkett capped his college career by leading Stanford to a 27-17 victory over undefeated No. His mind only replays moments; his body replays every minute of damage. After returning to the backup role in 1983, Plunkett again assumed starting duties, this time after an injury to Marc Wilson. TUP 83. 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. ''My father was legally blind from birth, but he could get around.He could see a little bit. He was regarded as a bust after being released by the 49ers in 2010. Jim and his sisters learned to work hard and do things for themselves as they grew up. 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 month before his enrollment, Plunkett was told by doctors that the lump he had felt at the base of his neck was cancerous. Plunkett led the 49ers to a 61 start before faltering to an 86 record. ''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. "He gutted out that entire run. His parents are blind. He played for the last time in 1986, his injuries and pain settling the issue. Jim was out of football for two years, before being signed by the Oakland Raiders in 1979. 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. 3 quarterback, Plunkett didn't play in 1978. Visitors, teachers, students, and MY HERO staff publish all kinds of stories, from inspirational essays about a close friend, to important global issues. He even spent two seasons on the bench with the Raiders. In exchange for Ken Stabler, Jim Pastorini was traded by the Oakland Raiders to the Houston Astros. For any number of questions about what sustains Plunkett, what fulfills him, there is just one answer: "I love my wife. An outstanding high school wrestler, Plunkett struck Ralston and his staff as someone they might convert to a defensive end. He was the first Latino to win the Heisman Trophy. 326 Galvez Street Yasmine Sherif, who leads Education Cannot Wait, a UN-hosted, global fund for education in emergencies. [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. His upbringing was difficult as both his parents, William and Carmen, were blind. They later moved to San Jose where William ran a newsstand, and where they were able to find low-cost housing. His father died of a heart problem in 1969. Plunkett, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, rejected the idea, and Ralston redshirted him in 1967. James William Plunkett (born December 5, 1947) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. 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. The next season, he threw only 15 passes. "After 10 years and struggling with New England and San Francisco," he said, "that first one meant a lot to me.". During the NFL season, Plunkett co-hosts the team's weekly TV program, The Silver and Black Show, and he sits with owner Al Davis during games. 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. "I wasn't an in-your-face guy." Its still hard for me to talk about it, Plunkett says during a phone interview, his voice catching. Stanford, CA 94305-6105. The players liked him. 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). Surgery was required to remove a malignant tumor that would end his football playing days. After a 59 season in 1977, the 49ers released him during the 1978 preseason. The surgery required to remove a malignant tumor would end his football playing days. With eighteen passing and three rushing touchdowns added to his 2,715 passing yards on the year (which broke his own conference record), Plunkett was awarded the 1970 Heisman Trophy. Completed artwork should reflect thoughtful ideas to show how the selected hero demonstrates heroic action and creates positive social change. Biography. He was born to a blind mother and father.. Plunkett guided Oakland to nine victories in eleven games and a playoff berth as a wild card. ''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. 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. Some of them said my story gave them a new sense of purpose in life. Plunkett went on to an NFL career that included two Super Bowl victories while quarterbacking the Raiders, but also included years of physical trauma that left him hobbled and in near constant pain. Her dad was afraid she'd stay in New York. ''I'd go there and help him,'' Jim Plunkett said. In 1968, he threw for 14 touchdowns and set a Pac-8 record with 2,156 yards passing. Or if they wanted to clean the house, they cleaned the house. [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. '', That's not always easy when the hucksters move in. Jim Plunkett played 15 NFL seasons, but his eight years with the Raiders defined his career. What made it hard for Jim to grow up? "We'd all gone to public schools instead of prep schools, and none of us had a lump of cash in our pocket," Lasater recalls. But Plunkett was the face of the team's success, that strong chin like a pointer for his powerful arm. 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. Slow to recover from the surgery on his neck, Plunkett didn't impress anybody during spring practice at the end of his freshman year. 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. Jim Plunkett was a football quarterback for Stanford University from 1968-1970. 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 was born in San Jose, California, in 1948. Jim Plunkett is the story of a three-year NFL career that was filled with busts. That year he was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XV, and was named the Comeback Player of the Year. 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. 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. Plunkett, by then a star with growing national acclaim, threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Moore to key a 24-14 victory, Stanford's first over the Trojans in 13 years. His parents were blind from the start. Watch our short introduction video for more information. Was he a child, a teen, or an adult?Bonus 100 pts: How old was he exactly? A few examples include players who were considered busts but rebounded to make their mark on the game. "We came so close to making an unbelievably catastrophic decision. 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. For example, he once damaged his shoulder, but he kept on playing. My sisters Genevieve and Mary Ann don't like to tell me that my mother is coming to the game because they know I'll worry that she's all right.''. 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. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. UCLA coach Tommy Prothro had called Plunkett the "best pro quarterback prospect I've ever seen", echoing Sweeney's words from the year prior. He was the starting quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal from 1968 to 1970. I love my daughter. 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. '', His mother is of Mexican heritage, his father was a mixture of German, Irish and Mexican. On the field or in the studio, Andrew Luck is a guy you can build around. . From 1984-86, Plunkett made only 17 starts, mostly because of injury. That goes to show that Jim Plunkett never ever gave up, even after everybody else did. Finally, after Pastorini suffered a broken leg in early October, Plunkett was pressed into service. But sometimes she would get too nervous to enjoy it. "In 1972 my confidence ran into a stone wall," he said. . In the NFL, prospects who were expected to make big waves are frequently busts. Two weeks later, Stanford beat UCLA for the first time in eight years. But she might have. 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). 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.