Playing for the Oakland Raiders, Pastorini broke his shinbone and cartilage in his knee. Randy Vataha had the same misgivings when he transferred in as a junior. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Also Read: Mike Golic 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. Learn more here. As he grew up, Jim learned how to be his parent's eyes by helping them cross the street. (optional), What is a news vendor? 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. Jim Plunkett was instrumental in the Oakland Raiders winning Super Bowl titles in 1980 and 1983. Jim Plunkett is my hero because he inspires me to never give up. Sometimes the measure of a hero isnt that he did something amazing, but that he inspires many people. 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. In the family's home, one room is dedicated to Plunkett's accomplishments. Rust, now 82, remembers making that promise impulsively, confident that Stanford would back him up. Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California on December 5th, 1947. The Raiders ignored his request and five weeks into the season, Plunkett's resurrection began. An outstanding high school wrestler, Plunkett struck Ralston and his staff as someone they might convert to a defensive end. 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. [10], When Jim was growing up, the family's financial situation was a big problem for him. Plunkett has many interests and ventures, ranging from speaking engagements and autograph contracts for football cards and jerseys to his longtime involvement on behalf of the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Palo Alto. But it's not so much a walk as a trudge. 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. ", Plunkett, shy and modest, took a different view: "I wanted the Heisman, but my whole life wasn't centered on it.". Jim had many obstacles he had to overcome. JIM PLUNKETT is on a roll. California and was a high school star there. He grew up in Santa Clara before the family sought less-expensive housing in San Jose. 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 team was full of an awful lot of talented guys as well as egos," says Schultz, who was a strong safety. He also helped them get their own food and stuff. The race was 440 yards, and Moore says he expected to beat Plunkett, "who never looked good as a runner," by 30 yards or more. He became the starting quarterback for the Raiders midway through the 1980 season. The tumor turned out to be benign, but Plunkett has never forgotten the generosity shown by Rust. 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. 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. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. That year he was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XV, and was named the Comeback Player of the Year. Plunkett, Lasater and Schultz were there with friends and other former teammates before the Wake Forest game in September, reveling in the juiciest memories. "I really thought I was going to be the savior," Plunkett said, "but all I did was put more pressure on myself.". "Bob [Moore] and Jack Schultz came to our house every day," Gerry Plunkett recalls. His successful junior campaign saw him set league records for touchdown passes (20), passing yards (2,673) and total offense (2,786). 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. Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. He was a good student and an excellent athlete. 326 Galvez Street 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. "I'd never been in a losing situation before.". His mind only replays moments; his body replays every minute of damage. 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. Plunkett delivered newspapers and took odd jobs to earn pocket money but still found time for football. New York, NY, 10006. 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 . In 1970, he led Stanford to a 9-3 record and a Rose Bowl appearance against mighty Ohio State. The players liked him. 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. "He has to be one of the great comeback stories of our time," said Raiders owner Al Davis. Jim continued to play for the Raiders until his retirement in 1986. The rest of the Stanford cast was anything but ordinary. Early life []. . The once-reticent Plunkett does Raiders postgame radio interviews and a weekly TV highlights show and gives corporate speeches. Thirty years ago this week, Plunkett led the Raiders to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. From the spoken words of influential leaders, to emotionally powerful lyrics in a song, heroic audio is all around us. America loved the kid. Plunkett is on the Hall of Fame wall at James Lick. [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. THP 86. A Heisman Trophy winner and future College Football Hall of Fame inductee at Stanford,[2] Plunkett was selected first overall by the New England Patriots in the 1971 NFL Draft. And suddenly, from near-oblivion, a rise again to the top as 1981 Super Bowl MVP. "I said iconic," notes Harbaugh, "but he lives it with such little fanfare. "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. His father William died of a heart attack in 1969. Plunkett's pro career started promisingly after the New England Patriots made him the No. But sometimes I'd forget. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities! From 1984-86, Plunkett made only 17 starts, mostly because of injury. Health Scare Nearly Ends Plunkett's College Career In addition, the American College Football Coaches Association designated him as their Offensive Player of the Year. Five mostly difficult seasons in New England followed, preceding a trade to the 49ers and, in 1978, Plunketts outright release. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. After graduation, Jim attended Stanford University on a football scholarship. ''She always wanted to know what the trees and the hills looked like. I didn't do things to put them out, though. Early Years. He is a role model for never giving up. PAC 81. Plunkett excelled in athletics from a young age and went on to attend Stanford University on a football scholarship. But I have a terrible back and my left shoulder really doesnt work too well.. 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. Help us celebrate the best of humanity, we need your support! He was born into a poor family, and his father was a news vendor who supported his wife and three children by selling news. 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. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. LATE RALLY: After struggling early in his NFL career, Plunkett led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. 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. . Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. He received several accolades during his career, including the only Heisman Trophy (1970) in school history. 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. These days, Plunkett and wife Gerry still live in the Bay Area, in Atherton, about a five-minute drive from Stanford. And we've known that we're there for each other.". Slow to recover from the surgery on his neck, Plunkett didn't impress anybody during spring practice at the end of his freshman year. It took a lot of courage to get there. His parents were both blind. Friends helped talk him out of retiring and, two weeks later, he signed with the Raiders. Jim Plunkett, 74, was a former American football quarterback who played for the Philadelphia Packers and the Houston Texans. Plunkett was born on Dec. 5, 1947, in San Jose, Calif., the youngest of three children. The massive arms of Plunkett transformed college football, changing the perception of the game from being a ground game to one that was exciting and fast. 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. After a 59 season in 1977, the 49ers released him during the 1978 preseason. Check out the Jim Plunkett Hispanic Heritage 83 item on Madden NFL 23 - Ratings, Prices and more! Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Mike Antonucci is the senior writer at Stanford. DAC 79. 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. Bill Parcells was the first Hispanic-American head coach of the NFL, and Tom Flores won two Super Bowl rings. She always knew. No rushing or total offense stats currently available for Plunkett. Jim and his sisters learned to work hard and do things for themselves as they grew up. "When I found out I'd finished second to Jim," said Theismann in 1984, "I was genuinely crushed. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. '', During his two years in oblivion, his mother was more concerned about him than his career. Download our Annual Report for more detailed information about our daily operations. 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). The most celebrated player in Stanford football history came from just down the road, and a world away. ", In addition to mustering his physical skills, Plunkett had to change the coaches' perception of what a leader was. A few examples include players who were considered busts but rebounded to make their mark on the game. Our type of system was almost perfect for Jim, Flores says. He played for the last time in 1986, his injuries and pain settling the issue. On the field or in the studio, Andrew Luck is a guy you can build around. ''I'd go there and help him,'' Jim Plunkett said. Prominent among the photos and memorabilia is a famous trophy depicting a football player in a classic stiff-arm pose.
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