Jim Plunkett was instrumental in the Oakland Raiders winning Super Bowl titles in 1980 and 1983. 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. Hearing the story again, Jim Plunkett, the One and Only, smiles and rolls his eyes to his wife's amusement. . Carmen was also of Native American ancestry. His mother, Carmen, was sightless since . Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. Also Read: Mike Golic 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. 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. 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. With a career total offense of 7,887 yards, including passing for 7,544, Plunkett set an NCAA record. 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. His father William died of a heart attack in 1969. He was a quarterback, although the coaches weren't so sure he should be. But in a Stanford timeline, the ultimate demarcation is Before Plunkett and After Plunkett. "Some of it has been wonderful and some of it has been absolutely horrific. 326 Galvez Street In a call with Rod Rust, the assistant coach who had recruited him, Plunkett relayed his fears. PAC 81. "When I found out I'd finished second to Jim," said Theismann in 1984, "I was genuinely crushed. . A doctor discovered a thyroid tumor, which nearly ended his college career. ". Jim Plunkett is my hero because he inspires me to never give up. Visitors, teachers, students, and MY HERO staff publish all kinds of stories, from inspirational essays about a close friend, to important global issues. [4] In 1983, Plunkett again ascended from backup to starter to quarterback the relocated Los Angeles Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XVIII. He played for the Patriots for four seasons, before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1975. Before family and friends in Northern California, Plunkett had two inconsistent years with the 49ers and then was released before the 1978 season. Jim Plunkett set records all three years he quarterbacked Stanford. The rest of the Stanford cast was anything but ordinary. 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, 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. But he also was gifted with staunch confidence and a ferocious appetite for challenges. After having both knees replaced a few years ago, he says, Im in less pain. RUN 80. An outstanding high school wrestler, Plunkett struck Ralston and his staff as someone they might convert to a defensive end. Life, it seems, has been a struggle for Plunkett. Carmen was born blind as a result of typhoid fever, which occurred when she was 19 years old. 1972 Topps Jim Plunkett | PSA CardFacts At tailgates, they are now the keepers of the same patch of ground in the Chuck Taylor Grove that was established by players' parents in the 1960s. ''I'd go there and help him,'' Jim Plunkett said. Plunkett capped his college career by leading Stanford to a 27-17 victory over undefeated No. It hasn't all been laughs. In addition to this, he became the second of four players to win the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP, alongside Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen, and Desmond Howard. "The best college football player I've ever seen," said Washington State coach Jim Sweeney. But he taught us a new meaning to the word temperament as we rode his success. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. STR 59. But she might have. 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. Despite some impressive moments in the Silver and Black, he will never make the Hall of Fame. The Raiders have never made the Pro Bowl or the All-Pro team, and everything they have done since the inception has been bad. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. 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). The star running back was the 2012 National Championship winner with Stanford and was the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. From the spoken words of influential leaders, to emotionally powerful lyrics in a song, heroic audio is all around us. He was born into a poor family, and his father was a news vendor who supported his wife and three children by selling news. 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). Plunkett was selected by the New England Patriots as the number one overall draft choice in 1971. Jim Plunkett (1990) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation Jim was born in 1946, and was their only child. "We socialize together, we do business together, and we tell lies together about how great we used to be.". 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. Still, he remains active at Stanford, regularly attending events on campus and raising money for athletic scholarships through his annual charity golf tournament. He also helped them get their own food and stuff. 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. He set a new Pacific 8 record with 2,156 yards passing and 14 touchdown passes in his first season as a Stanford quarterback. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, before being released in 1977. But Plunkett was the face of the team's success, that strong chin like a pointer for his powerful arm. 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. "In 1972 my confidence ran into a stone wall," he said. 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. (Photo: Timothy Archibald), BAND OF BROTHERS: With Jack Lasater, Randy Vataha, Bob Murphy and Jack Schultz. Tara VanDerveer took the Cardinal from doormat to dynamo and helped boost womens athletics. UCLA coach Tommy Prothro had called Plunkett the "best pro quarterback prospect I've ever seen", echoing Sweeney's words from the year prior. ", I got so many great letters. He was regarded as a bust after being released by the 49ers in 2010. Some of them said my story gave them a new sense of purpose in life. "Bob [Moore] and Jack Schultz came to our house every day," Gerry Plunkett recalls. He is the son of Native American and Hispanic parents. Nancy founded the Kelp Fest in 2009 in order to help local communities better understand and appreciate the kelp forest. "We're as close as any group of guys can be," says Plunkett. 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. 1973 Topps Jim Plunkett | PSA CardFacts Anyone can read what you share. He played in two Super Bowls and was named Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XV. As White notes, the Stanford coaching staff had learned football as mostly an exercise in running the ball. [15], Plunkett is the subject of annual debate about whether he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "Many people felt I was washed up, and I wasn't sure they were wrong. 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. 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. 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. Since 1995, The MY HERO Project has been using media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity. Stanford, California 94305. 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. 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). Browse, share, and add to our enormous collection of inspiring hero films. He became the second multiple recipient of the W.J. ''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 was inducted into the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. Life, it seems, has been a struggle for Plunkett. He had some natural shyness, plus an unconventionally low-key approach to taking charge. 1 Ohio State in the 1971 Rose Bowl. It was the low point in my career really hard to take, he says of the 49ers move. Voit Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. THP 86. 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. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best game was a 27-17 victory over Ohio . Accepting Ongoing Submissions! Armada Halogen is the leading technology powered travel security risk management company with swift response capabilities. He grew up in Santa Clara before the family sought less-expensive housing in San Jose. 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 USC game fell halfway into that 1970 season. Or if they wanted to clean the house, they cleaned the house. Jim Plunkett (born James William Plunkett, Jr. on December 5, 1947) was a U.S. football player. ''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. His career began as a backup to Plunkett but he was never able to establish himself as a starter. Jim continued to play for the Raiders until his retirement in 1986. His parents were poor and blind, but they were very proud. 1 pick in the 1971 draft. What happened to Hart was not unintended. The tumor turned out to be benign, but Plunkett has never forgotten the generosity shown by Rust. In 1968, he threw for 14 touchdowns and set a Pac-8 record with 2,156 yards passing. Plunkett is on the Hall of Fame wall at James Lick. The biggest obstacle he faced was when he was 30 years old and played for the San Francisco 49ers. Early life []. Prominent among the photos and memorabilia is a famous trophy depicting a football player in a classic stiff-arm pose. Plunkett threw for 2,935 yards, 20 touchdown passes, and 18 picks in that season. Forty years later, his impact on college football hasn't lost any luster, even though the sport has become far more freewheeling and ratcheted up the stats of quarterbacks everywhere. [9], The Plunketts moved to California during World War II. Three years later, Plunkett helped Oakland to another Super Bowl triumph, this one over Washington. What made it hard for Jim to grow up? Mike Antonucci is the senior writer at Stanford. 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). 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.''. For his career, Plunkett completed 1,943-of-3,701 passes for 25,882 yards with 164 touchdowns and 198 interceptions. "I worried more about Stanford being good enough for Jim Plunkett," he says. Jim Plunkett (1990) - Hall of Fame - National Football Foundation He was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1990. At this time, Heisman voters are spread out across five regions. 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. Andrew Luck, a rising star in the NFL, has established himself as one of the leagues best quarterbacks. The 32-year-old Plunkett came off the bench to relieve Pastorini, throwing five interceptions in a 3117 loss. His father, who was of Irish descent, passed away when Plunkett was just nine years old. It was probably very hard to live with blind parents, but Jim figured out a way to do it. While working as a news vendor, his father, William, was legally blind. 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. Download our Annual Report for more detailed information about our daily operations. With all the obstacles he went through, Jim never quit. Brothers Where it Mattered Most - Delta Tau Delta Jim attended James Lick High School in East San Jose, California.He won the Heisman Trophy in 1970 as quarterback for Stanford University. Were jim plunkett's parents blind? - askingforanswer.com Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities! [5][6], Plunkett was born to Mexican-American parents with an Irish-German grandfather on his paternal side. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. (optional), What is a news vendor? His zodiac sign is Sagittarius, and his ethnicity is white, making him an American by nationality. "He gutted out that entire run. Sign-up for our newsletter to inspire your inbox. Haz clic aqu para leer la historia sobre Jim Plunkett en espaol. I love my daughter. 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. ''My father was legally blind from birth, but he could get around.He. They came together in Oakland after Plunkett washed out in New England and San Francisco and was contemplating retirement. 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. Health Scare Nearly Ends Plunkett's College Career 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. Jim was a hard worker because, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he spent his time trying to improve. In college, however, Jim won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to the Rose bowl. The answer is no. In exchange for Ken Stabler, Jim Pastorini was traded by the Oakland Raiders to the Houston Astros. The First Deaf Player In The NHL: Jim Kyte. ''I don't think she would have cared if I had quit, she always was worried about me getting hurt,'' he said. 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 took a tough road to get where I finally got.. 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. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best . And we've known that we're there for each other.". The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year then 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. That goes to show that Jim Plunkett never ever gave up, even after everybody else did. When the dog began to display some nervous aggression, Meghan despaired. My mother would tell us kids to take care of our father. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. 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. 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. Browse our About Page to get quick overviews of the different areas of MY HERO. It had been anything but a happy Bay Area homecoming for the rifle-armed quarterback who first gained widespread notice at San Jose James Lick High. 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. Jim Plunkett was the 1970 Heisman Trophy winner at Stanford and led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. He got his opportunity when starter Dan Pastorini suffered a broken leg against Kansas City. They later moved to San Jose where William ran a newsstand, and where they were able to find low-cost housing. The players liked him. The year of practice and no play helped Plunkett. 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. Jim Plunkett (http://www.stanfordalumni.org/. '', His mother attended the 1971 Rose Bowl game that Stanford won, 27-17, from Ohio State. Three seasons later, he did it again, helping the relocated-to-Los Angeles Raiders defeat the Washington Redskins for the title. Learn more here. (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. 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 was born to a blind mother and father.. Nearly a decade into his professional career, the No. . Jim Plunketts nomination to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is fraught with controversy. 111 Broadway, Suite 103A QB Survey: Tom Flores, Jim Plunkett bucked the odds Surgery was required to remove a malignant tumor that would end his football playing days. Its still hard for me to talk about it, Plunkett says during a phone interview, his voice catching. From the Americans WhoTell the Truth portrait series. [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. It took a lot of courage to get there. Our type of system was almost perfect for Jim, Flores says. Davis denied his trade request, Plunkett says, because he wanted the veteran available in case of emergency. His mother, Carmen, was sightless since she was 19 because of typhoid fever. 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. Jim also had two sisters. Plunkett was born on Dec. 5, 1947, in San Jose, Calif., the youngest of three children. 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. On the field or in the studio, Andrew Luck is a guy you can build around. led four postseason wins. 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. Jim and his sisters learned to work hard and do things for themselves as they grew up. He achieved his greatest professional success during his final eight seasons with the Raiders franchise, whom he led to two Super Bowl titles.[1]. He was tall in the pocket, very powerful, a strong leader. He was named the NFLs Comeback Player of the Year in 1981. 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. 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. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. 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. Plunkett led the 49ers to a 61 start before faltering to an 86 record.

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