Once he arrived at the school, he played quarterback and defensive end for the football team. "I don't know where I would have gone," Plunkett says, "but I would have transferred. 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. They are a permanent set: Plunk, Red, B.M., Schultzie and Rabbit. 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. For any number of questions about what sustains Plunkett, what fulfills him, there is just one answer: "I love my wife. He had some natural shyness, plus an unconventionally low-key approach to taking charge. 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. Jim attended high school at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco. He was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. THP 86. "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.". I took a tough road to get where I finally got.. He became the second multiple recipient of the W.J. 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. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. (Photo: Timothy Archibald). He wore very thick glasses,'' he said. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. Help us celebrate the best of humanity, we need your support! "The show became kind of a tribute to him.". Learn more here. Jim Plunketts story is told in a film, and its a fascinating look at American football history. He didn't want her to get burned on the stove.''. Ball Carrier. What made it hard for Jim to grow up? He holds the Raider record, and is tied for the league record, for the longest career pass, which occurred during a 99-yard pass play against the Washington Redskins on October 2, 1983. With a career total offense of 7,887 yards, including passing for 7,544, Plunkett set an NCAA record. Carmen was also of Native American ancestry. Also Read: Mike Golic Jim Plunkett, on the other hand, is well known as one of the most absent Raider. Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California, on December 5, 1947. Jim was born in 1946, and was their only child. After graduation, Jim attended Stanford University on a football scholarship. From 1984-86, Plunkett made only 17 starts, mostly because of injury. 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. He's a good guy.". Plunkett received the Voit Trophy in both 1969 and 1970. "Some of it has been wonderful and some of it has been absolutely horrific. He retired after undergoing 18 surgical procedures during his playing days. ''I tell people that one of the things that always annoyed my parents was having others thinking they were handicapped. Friends and family, meanwhile, wonder why the Pro Football Hall of Fame has snubbed him. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Despite his strong first two seasons, Plunkett was a long-shot Heisman candidate compared to the other favorites: quarterbacks Archie Manning of Mississippi and Joe Theismann of Notre Dame. AGI 74. His mother, Carmen, was sightless since . He is estimated to be worth $10 million, with the majority of his money coming from his NFL career. 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. Life, it seems, has been a struggle for Plunkett. 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. They met at a school for the blind in San Jose where my mother was learning Braille. He was a star quarterback in high school, and went on to play for Stanford University. Jim was born in 1946, and was their only child. '', William Plunkett had a news stand in San Jose, Calif., at first in the Post Office building, later in the Unemployment Office. Jim was a hard worker because, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he spent his time trying to improve. Jims son jumped from a high-rise apartment building four years ago while suffering from severe manic depression. [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. When the Heisman vote was announced, Plunkett won by a wide margin. America loved the kid. 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. ESPN Classic - Plunkett kept coming back 1981 Topps Jim Plunkett | PSA CardFacts Brothers Where it Mattered Most - Delta Tau Delta "We had experienced an awful lot of disappointment," including two straight defeats to USC on late field goals. Jim had many obstacles he had to overcome. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, released two seasons later, then signed by the Raiders. Jim Plunkett - Wikipedia Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. Passing. Two weeks before the Patriots defeated the Colts, Plunkett engineered a 3413 victory over the Dolphins. But sometimes I'd forget. He even spent two seasons on the bench with the Raiders. In his first game as a starter, he completed eleven of fourteen passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. He was able to throw for 2,395 yards and 20 touchdown passes in his best season in 1983, and he threw 18 intercepted passes that year. He gives of his time, his energy, his money, and he's got a genuine humility. ", Plunkett's against-the-odds story drew legions of fans, including some who were only casual football rooters. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year then He played for the last time in 1986, his injuries and pain settling the issue. ''My parents were very stubborn,'' he said. He grew up in Santa Clara before the family sought less-expensive housing in San Jose. Plunkett's performance startled almost everyone as he completed 11-of-14 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions as Oakland defeated San Diego 38-24. 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. Its a stark contrast to 1980, when Plunkett longed to leave Oakland in hopes of reinvigorating a fading career. Jim was born in San Jose, California, in 1948. 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. His mother, Carmen, was sightless since she was 19 because of typhoid fever. The nice thing now is that with the money I'm making, she has no financial problems. It foretold the enduring intensity of Plunkett's relationship with Stanford. Browse and share audio in our library. 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. ACC 77. Jim was out of football for two years, before being signed by the Oakland Raiders in 1979. 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. Armada Halogen is the leading technology powered travel security risk management company with swift response capabilities. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. His mother, Carmen, had not seen the outside world since she was 19 years old due to typhoid. ''My father was legally blind from birth, but he could get around.He could see a little bit. ", Plunkett, shy and modest, took a different view: "I wanted the Heisman, but my whole life wasn't centered on it.". [9] JIM PLUNKETT is on a roll. If Plunkett was a leading passer, he was also a sentimental favorite. 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. Fortunately, he says, I was able to take advantage.. Plunkett, Lasater and Schultz were there with friends and other former teammates before the Wake Forest game in September, reveling in the juiciest memories. "The team was full of an awful lot of talented guys as well as egos," says Schultz, who was a strong safety. '', Jim Plunkett is reminded of that whenever he visits his mother now. "But there was no hint whatsoever of jealousy for all of the accolades and attention being heaped on Jim. The star running back was the 2012 National Championship winner with Stanford and was the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Plunkett declined, threatened to transfer and, given a second chance, led Stanford to a Rose Bowl upset of Ohio State to cap his Heisman Trophy-winning senior season. Jim Plunkett set records all three years he quarterbacked Stanford. 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. 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 . But more than most athletes, he understands perspective. [17] The arguments against his induction center on Plunkett having only three winning seasons, unimpressive career statistics, and no Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections. [20], Interviewed in 2017, Plunkett told of being in "constant pain" and discussed the effects of at least ten career concussions. Life, it seems, has been a struggle for Plunkett. Later in his career, the Raiders moved to Los Angeles. 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. Nothing got draped over the Heisman. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. Sometimes the measure of a hero isnt that he did something amazing, but that he inspires many people. He was regarded as a bust after being released by the 49ers in 2010. But when I wanted to keep playing, she understood that, too. Plunkett completed 16 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown in the game. Two years after that, Pastorinis injury gave Plunkett the opportunity hed long awaited. Jim Plunkett is the story of a three-year NFL career that was filled with busts. Bill Parcells was the first Hispanic-American head coach of the NFL, and Tom Flores won two Super Bowl rings.