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'm 10 years older than you," says a sportswriter celebrating his 72nd birthday. In 1971, he was drafted by the New England Patriots, and he went on to have a successful career in the NFL. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. Completed artwork should reflect thoughtful ideas to show how the selected hero demonstrates heroic action and creates positive social change. And in three of the four seasons before Plunkett's emergence, Stanford had gone 5-5. Was he a child, a teen, or an adult?Bonus 100 pts: How old was he exactly? Tara VanDerveer took the Cardinal from doormat to dynamo and helped boost womens athletics. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. 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. Armada Halogen is the leading technology powered travel security risk management company with swift response capabilities. 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. . 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. Jim Plunkett was a football quarterback for Stanford University from 1968-1970. He was also named the nations top football player in addition to winning the Maxwell Award. Plunkett's Stanford career nearly ended before it began. Plunkett also carries innumerable physical scars from his playing days. "He gutted out that entire run. 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. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. In his senior year, 1970, he led Stanford to a conference championship and their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1952, a game that ended with a 2717 Stanford victory over the heavily favored Ohio State Buckeyes. . 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. However, five weeks into the 1980 season, his career took a major turn when starting QB Dan Pastorini fractured his leg in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. 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. Teammates never doubted who was in command if they didn't do their jobs. PAC 81. He completed 571 of his 571 passes for a career-low 571 yards, three touchdown passes, and seven picks. But he also was gifted with staunch confidence and a ferocious appetite for challenges. He was regarded as a bust after being released by the 49ers in 2010. ''I know my mother didn't make the trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl because she doesn't fly anymore,'' he said. [10], When Jim was growing up, the family's financial situation was a big problem for him. A few examples include players who were considered busts but rebounded to make their mark on the game. 111 Broadway, Suite 103A Harbaugh, who has a reverence for football tradition, is emphatic about Plunkett's identity now. Even Plunkett's buddies underestimated him occasionally. 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. ''She also went to some of the Stanford games in Palo Alto,'' he said. '', His father died at age 56 after Jim Plunkett's sophomore year at Stanford. Born to blind parents, he worked several part-time jobs in high school to help support the family. The tumor turned out to be benign, but Plunkett has never forgotten the generosity shown by Rust. The once-reticent Plunkett does Raiders postgame radio interviews and a weekly TV highlights show and gives corporate speeches. He also captured the Maxwell Award for the nations best quarterback and was named player of the year by United Press International, The Sporting News, and SPORT magazine. At this time, Heisman voters are spread out across five regions. In addition, the American College Football Coaches Association designated him as their Offensive Player of the 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. Unfortunately, Jims father died in 1969 when Jim was 21. 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. The opponent: undefeated and heavily favored Ohio State. 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. The family lived in relative poverty, and received state financial aid. Jim Plunkett, Class: Induction: 1990 Sport(s): - Position: Quarterback Years: 1968-1970 Place of Birth: Santa Clara, CA Date of Birth: Dec 05, 1947 Jersey . Jim was a hard worker because, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he spent his time trying to improve. . . ". 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. They met at a school for the blind in San Jose where my mother was learning Braille. Watch our short introduction video for more information. Although Plunkett passed for 19 touchdowns and led the Pats to a 7-7 record in 1974, injuries mounted. General. I remember my father always told me to come straight home after school. 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. 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. 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. But Plunkett had a huge senior year, passing for 2,715 yards and 19 touchdowns as upstart Stanford won the Pac-8 title. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, released two seasons later, then signed by the Raiders. Jim was out of football for two years, before being signed by the Oakland Raiders in 1979. Wins over Oregon State and Washington nailed down the Pac-8 title and a January 1 Rose Bowl berth. A former rhythmic gymnastics powerhouseand current Stanford sophomoreexplains why shes OK with how things turned out. Early Years. Ball Carrier. In the family's home, one room is dedicated to Plunkett's accomplishments. When my room was a mess, my mother always knew. Browse and share audio in our library. Plunkett is on the Hall of Fame wall at James Lick. Ken Stabler won one Super Bowl championship as Ken Stabler played Sloth in The Goonies. John Matuszak portrayed him in the film. I didn't do things to put them out, though. ", 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. Jim was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. She has high blood pressure. Ever since then, her doctor hasn't wanted her to fly. Plunkett spent most of the 19841986 seasons either injured or as a backup, and missed the entire 1987 season following rotator cuff surgery. He even spent two seasons on the bench with the Raiders. I took a tough road to get where I finally got.. Our gallery features art in the theme of heroism. 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. His father, who was of Irish descent, passed away when Plunkett was just nine years old. Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. 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. Former Raider and Stanford star quarterback Jim Plunkett of Atherton wasn't too pleased with that last one. RUN 80. He also owns a beer distributorship. He had some natural shyness, plus an unconventionally low-key approach to taking charge. ", I got so many great letters. JIM PLUNKETT is on a roll. He was a member of the National Football Leagues Atlanta Falcons for 16 seasons. 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. September 1st is the final deadline to submit work for the 2022 International Film Festival! Or if they wanted to clean the house, they cleaned the house. Plunkett received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member Roger Staubach in 1981. "Years of getting my butt kicked," Plunkett says. Carmen was also of Native American ancestry. "We've all tasted what life has to deliver," says Schultz. AGI 74. Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California, on December 5, 1947. Jim was born in 1946, and was their only child. William Plunkett ran a newsstand in San Jose, but struggled to care for his wife . '', His mother is of Mexican heritage, his father was a mixture of German, Irish and Mexican. 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. When the Heisman vote was announced, Plunkett won by a wide margin. Released from the 49ers after suffering further injuries, Plunkett signed with the Oakland Raiders for 1978. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. After returning to the backup role in 1983, Plunkett again assumed starting duties, this time after an injury to Marc Wilson. Yasmine Sherif, who leads Education Cannot Wait, a UN-hosted, global fund for education in emergencies. 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. "Our daughter was very upset; she didn't want to feel she was letting Jimmy down," says Plunkett. ", Plunkett's against-the-odds story drew legions of fans, including some who were only casual football rooters. They were from poor or middle-class families, and they wondered how they would ever fit in at a university swarming with well-heeled classmates. This display of offensive firepower led Washington State coach Jim Sweeney to call Plunkett "The best college football player I've ever seen." The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year then Plunkett's parents were both born in New Mexico, both Mexican Americans; his mother, whose maiden name was Carmen Blea, was born in Santa . ACC 77. "You got the look from Jim," recalls Vataha, a wide receiver, "and the look was not comfortable. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, before being released in 1977. But none of it came easily. But she might have. Professionally created material to help you get started in hero film making! The 1971 Rose Bowl is regarded as the period when Stanford football returned to prominence. "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. Knee and shoulder surgeries became almost commonplace, and after a season of limited play in 1975, he asked to be traded. [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. It was probably very hard to live with blind parents, but Jim figured out a way to do it. We took a lot of walks because neither of my parents could drive. ''Especially in the parks,'' he recalled. 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. Playing for a traditionally mediocre program on the West Coast, Plunkett was a long-shot Heisman candidate compared to the other favorites: quarterbacks Archie Manning of Mississippi and Joe Theismann of Notre Dame. 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. That goes to show that Jim Plunkett never ever gave up, even after everybody else did. California and was a high school star there. Plunkett delivered newspapers and took odd jobs to earn pocket money but still found time for football. STR 59. 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. Rust didn't hesitate: We will honor your scholarship, he said. 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. 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. 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. Jim and his sisters learned to work hard and do things for themselves as they grew up. the combining form for plasma minus the clotting proteins is jim plunkett parents blind He could have graduated the previous June, skipped his remaining year of Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. LATE RALLY: After struggling early in his NFL career, Plunkett led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. "We're as close as any group of guys can be," says Plunkett. Plunkett's first game was a 206 victory over the Oakland Raiders, the Patriots' first regular-season contest at Schaefer Stadium. Friends helped talk him out of retiring and, two weeks later, he signed with the Raiders. His mind only replays moments; his body replays every minute of damage. 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. Despite his lack of fame, his contributions will not go unnoticed. Biography. They came together in Oakland after Plunkett washed out in New England and San Francisco and was contemplating retirement. Plunkett led the Raiders to four playoff victories, including the first-ever victory by a wild card team in the Super Bowl, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 2710 in Super Bowl XV. These days, Plunkett and wife Gerry still live in the Bay Area, in Atherton, about a five-minute drive from Stanford. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. The biggest obstacle he faced was when he was 30 years old and played for the San Francisco 49ers. Plunkett beat Notre Dame's Joe Theismann and Archie Manning of Ole Miss to win the award. 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I remember them saying that they weren't handicapped, that they could do just about anything except see. He retired during the 1988 pre-season as the fourth-leading passer in Raiders history. He spent 12 years in the NFL, beginning with the Philadelphia 76ers and continuing with the Washington Redskins, Oakland As, and Philadelphia 76ers. The rest of the Stanford cast was anything but ordinary.
