Although Plunkett passed for 19 touchdowns and led the Pats to a 7-7 record in 1974, injuries mounted. Jims son jumped from a high-rise apartment building four years ago while suffering from severe manic depression. Jim was born in 1946, and was their only child. ''My father was legally blind from birth, but he could get around.He. He threw for more touchdown passes than interception in all of his professional seasons except five, but he had more losing seasons than winning seasons. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, before being released in 1977. The Raiders ignored his request and five weeks into the season, Plunkett's resurrection began. [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. Jim and his sisters learned to work hard and do things for themselves as they grew up. Browse, share, and add to our enormous collection of inspiring hero films. But Plunkett was the face of the team's success, that strong chin like a pointer for his powerful arm. 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. But sometimes she would get too nervous to enjoy it. September 1st is the final deadline to submit work for the 2022 International Film Festival! New York, NY, 10006. (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. A native of San Jose, Calif., Plunkett graduated from Lick High in 1967, where he was a star athlete who competed in football, basketball, baseball, track and wrestling. (optional), What is a news vendor? ''Especially in the parks,'' he recalled. His mother, Carmen, was sightless since . The coaches realized everything had to be different, and they happened to discover the difference maker. . The rest of the Stanford cast was anything but ordinary. 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. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. To this day he has a tendency to drop into the background, heightened sometimes by the pervasive sadness of his son's death. Plunkett delivered newspapers and took odd jobs to earn pocket money but still found time for football. 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. 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. SAC 81. 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. Had they insisted on it, the number of Heisman Trophy winners at Stanford would still be zero. ''My sisters would bring a radio so she could listen to what was happening. Plunkett capped his college career by leading Stanford to a 27-17 victory over undefeated No. 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. His father died of a heart problem in 1969. 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. The most prestigious award in college football. Brothers Where it Mattered Most - Delta Tau Delta Geez, you'd think that we could have seen pretty quickly that he could throw the ball.". After a 59 season in 1977, the 49ers released him during the 1978 preseason. William was legally blind and worked as a news vendor, in addition to working as a news vendor. 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. The 1971 Rose Bowl is regarded as the period when Stanford football returned to prominence. He is the son of Native American and Hispanic parents. Two weeks later, Stanford beat UCLA for the first time in eight years. His mother, Carmen, had not seen the outside world since she was 19 years old due to typhoid. He got his opportunity when starter Dan Pastorini suffered a broken leg against Kansas City. It was never "just football" to them, Schultz remembers. "The show became kind of a tribute to him.". 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. CAR 70. 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 . ESPN Classic - Plunkett kept coming back On the field or in the studio, Andrew Luck is a guy you can build around. His excellent arm strength and precision made him attractive to pro teams that relied much more heavily on the passing game than most college teams of the late 1960s. He led the team to a Pac-8 Conference championship and a berth in the 1971 Rose Bowl. All artworks in our commercial free, age-appropriate Gallery are contributed by professional and student artists as well as curated from art institutions around the world. And in three of the four seasons before Plunkett's emergence, Stanford had gone 5-5. He was inducted into the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. I love my daughter. STR 59. Wanting to stay closer to home to help look after his parents, Plunkett decided to attend Stanford University. Plunkett was also selected first overall in the 1971 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. His parents were poor and blind, but they were very proud. ''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. Prominent among the photos and memorabilia is a famous trophy depicting a football player in a classic stiff-arm pose. Browse our About Page to get quick overviews of the different areas of MY HERO. 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. He could have graduated the previous June, skipped his remaining year of Learn more about sponsorship opportunities! Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Lakers playoff hopes take another hit after comeback fades vs. Minnesota, Ducks strike with a pair of late power-play goals to defeat Canadiens, With Norman Powell out, Clippers are edged at Sacramento for fifth loss in a row, Harvard-Westlakes Bryce Rainer fires out 92-mph fastballs in first start since 2021, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, UCLAs senior trio has persevered in restoring the Bruins to national prominence, Hes taken the next step: How Boogie Ellis found his game as USCs point guard, Even after Gavin Lux injury, Andrew Friedman hints at patient approach with roster, Elliott: After trading away Jonathan Quick, Kings make more deals ahead of trade deadline, After four decades, trainer Ed Moger gets his first Triple Crown starter. "We socialize together, we do business together, and we tell lies together about how great we used to be.". 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. 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. That's where he was a leader. LATE RALLY: After struggling early in his NFL career, Plunkett led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. Two years after that, Pastorinis injury gave Plunkett the opportunity hed long awaited. The surgery required to remove a malignant tumor would end his football playing days. He is estimated to be worth $10 million, with the majority of his money coming from his NFL career. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. Some of them said my story gave them a new sense of purpose in life. 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. 1981 Topps Jim Plunkett | PSA CardFacts Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California on December 5th, 1947. He played for the New England patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders in addition to the 49ers. '', William Plunkett had a news stand in San Jose, Calif., at first in the Post Office building, later in the Unemployment Office. Jim Plunkett was the 1970 Heisman Trophy winner at Stanford and led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. . Yasmine Sherif, who leads Education Cannot Wait, a UN-hosted, global fund for education in emergencies. He was regarded as a bust after being released by the 49ers in 2010. His father, William, was legally blind and worked as a news vendor. 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. 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. He was a quarterback, although the coaches weren't so sure he should be. He had some natural shyness, plus an unconventionally low-key approach to taking charge. 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. Before family and friends in Northern California, Plunkett had two inconsistent years with the 49ers and then was released before the 1978 season. He was a good student and an excellent athlete. His reputation was severely hampered by his shadow, and he was ignored andunderappreciated. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best game was a 27-17 victory over Ohio . "I got so many great letters. THP 86. Plunkett made his athletic debut when he was 14 years old, winning a throwing contest with a distance of over 60 yards and demonstrating his potential. Then followed three sensational seasons at Stanford, culminating with the 1970 Heisman Trophy. Jim Plunkett arrived with other young playersJack Lasater, Bob Moore, Jack Schultzwho, like him, felt the pangs of being an outsider. And he ended up an emblem of individual and shared achievement on a team that's linked forever by one revered season. Plunkett, the most celebrated player in Stanford history, won his school's first Heisman after leading the Indians to an 8-3 record and a Rose Bowl berth. Mike Antonucci is the senior writer at Stanford. He became the second multiple recipient of the W.J. Early life []. 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. Surgery was required to remove a malignant tumor that would end his football playing days. 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. Learn more here. 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. 1 choice in the N.F.L. 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. The USC game fell halfway into that 1970 season. 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. 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. He retired during the 1988 pre-season as the fourth-leading passer in Raiders history. Also Read: Mike Golic Was he a child, a teen, or an adult?Bonus 100 pts: How old was he exactly? 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. But more than most athletes, he understands perspective. Jim Plunkett - Academic Kids America loved the kid. Fortunately, he says, I was able to take advantage.. Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California, on December 5, 1947. Jim was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft. James William "Jim" Plunkett (born December 5, 1947) is a former American football quarterback who played college football . After surgery, Plunkett resumed playing too quickly and performed so poorly on the freshman team that then-Stanford coach John Ralston asked him to switch to defensive end. He's still connected to the Raiders. While at Stanford he joined Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. Plunkett, Lasater and Schultz were there with friends and other former teammates before the Wake Forest game in September, reveling in the juiciest memories. While working as a news vendor, his father, William, was legally blind. I have taught linguistics and phonetics at multiple universities for the past 15 years.Technology has made exciting advances in phonetics, the science concerned with the structure and function of human speech, in recent years. Jim Plunkett played 15 NFL seasons, but his eight years with the Raiders defined his career. MY HERO Project seeks unique works of art by professional and student artists that celebrate the lives and courageous acts of heroes who work to promote change by positively affecting others and their communities. Download our Annual Report for more detailed information about our daily operations. Bill Parcells was the first Hispanic-American head coach of the NFL, and Tom Flores won two Super Bowl rings. It seems to me that Jim has a lot of courage because he played even when he was injured or in pain. Plunkett excelled in athletics from a young age and went on to attend Stanford University on a football scholarship. RUN 80. 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. Watch our short introduction video for more information. His parents were both blind. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year then In the family's home, one room is dedicated to Plunkett's accomplishments. Plunkett's first game was a 206 victory over the Oakland Raiders, the Patriots' first regular-season contest at Schaefer Stadium. 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. That goes to show that Jim Plunkett never ever gave up, even after everybody else did. Physically and mentally, I was not in the best shape. He played in two Super Bowls and was named Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XV. After having both knees replaced a few years ago, he says, Im in less pain. But he's quick to turn conversations into the kind of comedic sparring he perfected in locker rooms. The second title came after more struggles, after losing his starting job to Wilson and then regaining it after Wilson was injured. At this time, Heisman voters are spread out across five regions. Friends and family, meanwhile, wonder why the Pro Football Hall of Fame has snubbed him. He received several accolades during his career, including the only Heisman Trophy (1970) in school history. But when I wanted to keep playing, she understood that, too. Jim Plunkett Hispanic Heritage 83 OVR - Madden NFL 23 - MUT.GG 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. It hasn't all been laughs. Plunkett was the first player of Hispanic heritage to be drafted with the first overall pick in the NFL draft. He worked from an early age, cleaning up at a gas station while in elementary school, delivering newspapers, bagging groceries, and working in orchards. Nothing got draped over the Heisman. In an effort to aid the family's financial situation, Plunkett worked a series of odd jobs while growing up, including serving as a gas . The opponent: undefeated and heavily favored Ohio State. Jim Plunkett is the first Latino to win the prestigious award. It proved to be one of the most astute decisions made by the Raiders oft-criticized owner. "We didn't want to live through that again.". But she might have. The First Deaf Player In The NHL: Jim Kyte. [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. 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. They met while attending the California School for the Blind in Berkeley, and were married in 1934. . View winning films from the MY HERO International Film Festival! "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. A former rhythmic gymnastics powerhouseand current Stanford sophomoreexplains why shes OK with how things turned out. 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. Despite some impressive moments in the Silver and Black, he will never make the Hall of Fame. It was the low point in my career really hard to take, he says of the 49ers move. Jim Plunkett was instrumental in the Oakland Raiders winning Super Bowl titles in 1980 and 1983. . Two forgettable seasons with the San Francisco 49ers were followed by two fruitless years with the Raiders, who plucked him from the NFL scrapheap but buried him on the bench. He also helped them get their own food and stuff. In 1968, he threw for 14 touchdowns and set a Pac-8 record with 2,156 yards passing. Jim was a hard worker because, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he spent his time trying to improve. Plunkett was born on Dec. 5, 1947, in San Jose, Calif., the youngest of three children. Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. He never let go of his dream. His father died before his junior season and Plunkett made sure there was time to spend with his mother no matter how great the pressures at Stanford. And we've known that we're there for each other.". Plunkett completed 16 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown in the game. ''My mother had her vision until she was about 20, but then she had an illness, scarlet fever I think it was. Slow to recover from the surgery on his neck, Plunkett didn't impress anybody during spring practice at the end of his freshman year. They met at a school for the blind in San Jose where my mother was learning Braille. I remember my father always told me to come straight home after school. Heart of a Legend | STANFORD magazine The once-reticent Plunkett does Raiders postgame radio interviews and a weekly TV highlights show and gives corporate speeches. His final seasons in a backup role included the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI. What was Jim Plunkett childhood like? He was born to the parents of William Plunkett and Carmella Plunkett. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. 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. 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). Visitors, teachers, students, and MY HERO staff publish all kinds of stories, from inspirational essays about a close friend, to important global issues. PAC 81. Plunkett also carries innumerable physical scars from his playing days. California and was a high school star there. [10], When Jim was growing up, the family's financial situation was a big problem for him. ", Each former teammate, it seems, has a singular piece of lore. 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. Once in the press box, he growls "lousy" when asked how he's feeling. '', His mother is of Mexican heritage, his father was a mixture of German, Irish and Mexican. Born to blind parents, he worked several part-time jobs in high school to help support the family. Jim Plunkett is my hero because he inspires me to never give up. From 1984-86, Plunkett made only 17 starts, mostly because of injury. "He was on my shoulder the whole time," Moore recalls. 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. 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Born to blind Mexican-American parents, Jim Plunkett beat the odds to make a name for himself. Resisting the temptation to turn pro in 1970, Plunkett stayed for his senior season. The most celebrated player in Stanford football history came from just down the road, and a world away. ''But growing up, I didn't feel like I had to take care of either my father or my mother. Our type of system was almost perfect for Jim, Flores says. "I'd never known anybody could throw a football so hard it whistled until Jim did it. "Bob [Moore] and Jack Schultz came to our house every day," Gerry Plunkett recalls. 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. ''I don't think she would have cared if I had quit, she always was worried about me getting hurt,'' he said. And suddenly, from near-oblivion, a rise again to the top as 1981 Super Bowl MVP. [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.