jim plunkett parents blind
Plunkett, 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, rejected the idea, and Ralston redshirted him in 1967. William was legally blind and worked as a news vendor, in addition to working as a news vendor. As he grew up, Jim learned how to be his parent's "eyes" by helping them cross the street. 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. Plunkett delivered newspapers and took odd jobs to earn pocket money but still found time for football. But Plunkett had a huge senior year, passing for 2,715 yards and 19 touchdowns as upstart Stanford won the Pac-8 title. Was it that his parents were blind or they were deaf?, Jim threw a football 60 yards in his first ever competition. 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. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Physically and mentally, I was not in the best shape. His parents were both blind. Learn more about select judges in the MY HERO International Film Festival. Plunkett grew up in San Jose, California, the son of parents who were Native American and Hispanic. Oklahoma's Chuck Fairbanks replaced John Mazur as Patriots coach in 1973 and installed an offense that had Plunkett running some option plays and continuing to take a beating. With a career total offense of 7,887 yards, including passing for 7,544, Plunkett set an NCAA record. Then followed three sensational seasons at Stanford, culminating with the 1970 Heisman Trophy. 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. 1 pick in the 1971 draft had been all but branded an NFL washout, his promising rookie-of-the-year season with the New England Patriots notwithstanding. The answer is no. SPD 74. Born to blind parents, he worked odd jobs to help support his family as a teen and almost was forced to give up football when a cancerous lump was . Some of them said my story gave them a new sense of purpose in life. Friends helped talk him out of retiring and, two weeks later, he signed with the Raiders. He was the youngest of three children and his parents divorced when he was just a toddler. In 1970, he led Stanford to a 9-3 record and a Rose Bowl appearance against mighty Ohio State. The second title came after more struggles, after losing his starting job to Wilson and then regaining it after Wilson was injured. After having both knees replaced a few years ago, he says, Im in less pain. 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. 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. Bill Parcells was the first Hispanic-American head coach of the NFL, and Tom Flores won two Super Bowl rings. Stanford University. Haz clic aqu para leer la historia sobre Jim Plunkett en espaol. Also Read: Mike Golic ''One parent always was taking care of the other. Two weeks before the Patriots defeated the Colts, Plunkett engineered a 3413 victory over the Dolphins. Playing for the Oakland Raiders, Pastorini broke his shinbone and cartilage in his knee. Nearly a decade into his professional career, the No. He was a star quarterback in high school, and went on to play for Stanford University. 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. The Oakland Raiders have had a total of 25 members inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including players, executives, and coaches. Its a stark contrast to 1980, when Plunkett longed to leave Oakland in hopes of reinvigorating a fading career. Wins over Oregon State and Washington nailed down the Pac-8 title and a January 1 Rose Bowl berth. 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 completed 16 of 25 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown in the game. Early Years. Jim Plunkett arrived with other young playersJack Lasater, Bob Moore, Jack Schultzwho, like him, felt the pangs of being an outsider. His performance led to Plunkett playing in a state all-star game and that in turn led to interest from numerous colleges. 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. '', William Plunkett had a news stand in San Jose, Calif., at first in the Post Office building, later in the Unemployment Office. As a sophomore, 1968, he passed for 2,156 yards, a record in what was then the Pac-8 Conference. Plunkett spent most of the 19841986 seasons either injured or as a backup, and missed the entire 1987 season following rotator cuff surgery. But Plunkett was the face of the team's success, that strong chin like a pointer for his powerful arm. He was named the NFLs Comeback Player of the Year in 1981. Rust's mother had gone blind, and he related so strongly to the Plunkett family's closeness that he had moved beyond any concern about what Plunkett could contribute to Stanford. [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. Browse our About Page to get quick overviews of the different areas of MY HERO. He had some natural shyness, plus an unconventionally low-key approach to taking charge. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year then 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. 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. 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 is an inspiration to all who know him. Jim also had two sisters. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. 111 Broadway, Suite 103A Prior to retiring, he earned between $400,000 and $600,000 per year. ''I'd go there and help him,'' Jim Plunkett said. 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. 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. (Photo: Timothy Archibald), BAND OF BROTHERS: With Jack Lasater, Randy Vataha, Bob Murphy and Jack Schultz. Plunkett led the 49ers to a 61 start before faltering to an 86 record. 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. He retired after undergoing 18 surgical procedures during his playing days. Surgery was required to remove a malignant tumor that would end his football playing days. Jim Plunkett was born in San Jose, California, to parents of Native American and Hispanic descent. Plunkett was also selected first overall in the 1971 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. "I said iconic," notes Harbaugh, "but he lives it with such little fanfare. . 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. 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. Jim Plunkett, on the other hand, is well known as one of the most absent Raider. His mother, Carmen, had not seen the outside world since she was 19 years old due to typhoid. His father William died of a heart attack in 1969. '', See the article in its original context from. Learn more here. Rust, now 82, remembers making that promise impulsively, confident that Stanford would back him up. 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. 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. He played for the Patriots for four seasons, before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1975. Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. Jim Plunkett is my hero because he inspires me to never give up. LATE RALLY: After struggling early in his NFL career, Plunkett led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. It was probably very hard to live with blind parents, but Jim figured out a way to do it. 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. Mike Antonucci is the senior writer at Stanford. The star running back was the 2012 National Championship winner with Stanford and was the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. But I have a terrible back and my left shoulder really doesnt work too well.. He even spent two seasons on the bench with the Raiders. And if I left some clothes on the floor, she would step on them and find out. 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. They met while attending the California School for the Blind in Berkeley, and were married in 1934. Browse and share audio in our library. Sports of the Times; Jim Plunkett's Blind Parents, https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/01/sports/sports-of-the-times-jim-plunkett-s-blind-parents.html. It proved to be one of the most astute decisions made by the Raiders oft-criticized owner. 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. No rushing or total offense stats currently available for Plunkett. In his first game as a starter, he completed eleven of fourteen passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. . Still, he remains active at Stanford, regularly attending events on campus and raising money for athletic scholarships through his annual charity golf tournament. From the Americans WhoTell the Truth portrait series. America loved the kid. He was born to a blind mother and father.. Plunkett is on the Hall of Fame wall at James Lick. [7] Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. "I'm proud of that game," Plunkett said of Oakland's 27-10 victory over Philadelphia. He gives of his time, his energy, his money, and he's got a genuine humility. "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 career began as a backup to Plunkett but he was never able to establish himself as a starter. Life, it seems, has been a struggle for Plunkett. Jim Plunkett is a remarkable man who has overcome many obstacles in his life. Any time that I didn't do that, I heard about it. Jim Plunkett played 15 NFL seasons, but his eight years with the Raiders defined his career. He is the only eligible two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who has not been voted in. UCLA coach Tommy Prothro had called Plunkett the "best pro quarterback prospect I've ever seen", echoing Sweeney's words from the year prior. The Raiders advanced to Super Bowl XVIII, where they defeated the Washington Redskins, 389. But there always seems to be something Stanford-oriented on his schedule, such as a dinner he hosted in September at his home for every quarterback on the Stanford roster. 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. Plunkett was the only quarterback who led his team to two Super Bowl victories, and he is the only starter to lead his team to two Super Bowl victories but is not eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. Two years after that, Pastorinis injury gave Plunkett the opportunity hed long awaited. Resisting the temptation to turn pro in 1970, Plunkett stayed for his senior season. The coaches realized everything had to be different, and they happened to discover the difference maker. [4] In 1983, Plunkett again ascended from backup to starter to quarterback the relocated Los Angeles Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XVIII. Browse, share, and add to our enormous collection of inspiring hero films. 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. 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. ''My parents were very stubborn,'' he said. Continuing to be effective, Plunkett finished second in the NFL in passing yards in 1973, and in 1974 led the Patriots to an impressive 6-1 start, and the team's first non losing season in eight years, finishing second in the NFL in team scoring with 348 points, seven behind league leader Oakland. As White notes, the Stanford coaching staff had learned football as mostly an exercise in running the ball. 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Carmen was also of Native American ancestry. James William "Jim" Plunkett (born December 5, 1947) is a former American football quarterback who played college football . "You look a lot worse than that," Plunkett responds. The Truth About Johnny Cash: Was The Country Legend Tone Deaf? Plunkett guided Oakland to nine victories in eleven games and a playoff berth as a wild card. The surgery required to remove a malignant tumor would end his football playing days. What happened to Hart was not unintended. ''Especially in the parks,'' he recalled. I was supposed to make my bed, but if I didn't, she'd walk in and feel the bed to see if I had. A month before his enrollment, Plunkett was told by doctors that the lump he had felt at the base of his neck was cancerous. With a Super Bowl MVP in hand, Plunkett's comeback season was complete. Finally, after Pastorini suffered a broken leg in early October, Plunkett was pressed into service. Friends and family, meanwhile, wonder why the Pro Football Hall of Fame has snubbed him. Is it a person who sells newspapers or a company that makes newspapers?, Name 2 other sports that Jim played. He was regarded as a bust after being released by the 49ers in 2010. They met while attending the California School for the Blind in Berkeley, and were married in 1934. 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. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, released two seasons later, then signed by the Raiders. For his career, Plunkett completed 1,943-of-3,701 passes for 25,882 yards with 164 touchdowns and 198 interceptions. Plunkett's Stanford career nearly ended before it began. Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. Prominent among the photos and memorabilia is a famous trophy depicting a football player in a classic stiff-arm pose. The most prestigious award in college football. [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. This display of offensive firepower led Washington State coach Jim Sweeney to call Plunkett "The best college football player I've ever seen." "People had read about my parents, about my family life growing up," says Plunkett, his voice catching. draft, things like that. It's the trudge that comes from aching knees, although they've been better since he had bone and cartilage replaced with titanium and Teflon a couple of years ago. Three points are awarded for first place on a ballot, with two points for second place and one point for third place. 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. 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. "We're as close as any group of guys can be," says Plunkett. And our father would tell us to take care of our mother. "Some of it has been wonderful and some of it has been absolutely horrific. His net yards passing and most yards total offense were NCAA records at the time. Jim Plunkett was the 1970 Heisman Trophy winner at Stanford and led the Raiders to two Super Bowl victories in the 1980s. They later moved to San Jose where William ran a newsstand, and where they were able to find low-cost housing. . Visitors, teachers, students, and MY HERO staff publish all kinds of stories, from inspirational essays about a close friend, to important global issues. But as far as shes concerned, its still a work in progress. 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. 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. Ball Carrier. Back-to-back winning seasons had been blemished by key losses, and they were down to their last chance to win a championship. "I wasn't an in-your-face guy." He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft and went on to have a successful career in the league. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1981. Fortunately, he says, I was able to take advantage.. Click here to donate. 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. His upbringing was difficult as both his parents, William and Carmen, were blind. Jim Plunkett is the story of a three-year NFL career that was filled with busts. Jim Plunketts parents, Jack and Aletha, were both blind. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Several worthy Raiders, including Daryl Lamonica, Cliff Branch, and Lester Hayes, are no longer present in Canton, Ohio. Today, he carries the various hurts he has sufferedphysical and emotionalgamely. Voit Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. He played for the last time in 1986, his injuries and pain settling the issue. The Raiders ignored his request and five weeks into the season, Plunkett's resurrection began. 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. 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. BSK 80. For example, he once damaged his shoulder, but he kept on playing. [10], When Jim was growing up, the family's financial situation was a big problem for him. Jim attended high school at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco. ''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. He would have been so proud to have been around all that. 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. 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. Plunkett beat Notre Dame's Joe Theismann and Archie Manning of Ole Miss to win the award. ''She always wanted to know what the trees and the hills looked like. Plunkett's Stanford career nearly ended before it began. "He was on my shoulder the whole time," Moore recalls. He became the starting quarterback for the Raiders midway through the 1980 season. They delighted last summer in the wedding of their daughter, Meghan, but theyre still mourning the loss of their son, James Jr., who was 25 when he died in November 2008. Thirty years ago this week, Plunkett led the Raiders to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. "Years of getting my butt kicked," Plunkett says. The next year he was, to San Francisco. Plunkett showed his talent for tossing the football by winning a throwing contest at the age of 14 with a heave of over 60 yards. 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. He was born into a poor family, and his father was a news vendor who supported his wife and three children by selling news. He's a good guy.". ACC 77. Born to blind Mexican-American parents, Jim Plunkett beat the odds to make a name for himself. His 15 surgeries have included six on his left shoulder, one on his right shoulder, two on his neck and six on his knees. Watch our short introduction video for more information. In exchange for Ken Stabler, Jim Pastorini was traded by the Oakland Raiders to the Houston Astros. The Northern California native, who was born to blind parents, chose Stanford University to remain close to them. The year of practice and no play helped Plunkett. He was named the Super Bowl MVP, becoming the first deaf player to win the award. 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). Since 1995, The MY HERO Project has been using media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity. He played for the 49ers for two seasons, before being released in 1977. I like that. 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. Plunkett's father was a news vendor afflicted with progressive blindness, who had to support his blind wife along with their three children. Health Scare Nearly Ends Plunkett's College Career He never let go of his dream. Jim Plunkett was born in San Francisco, California, on December 5, 1947. His final seasons in a backup role included the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI. Ken Stabler won one Super Bowl championship as Ken Stabler played Sloth in The Goonies. John Matuszak portrayed him in the film. He chose to play for Stanford in part because he wanted to stay close to his parents, both of whom were blind. Plunkett was selected by the New England Patriots as the number one overall draft choice in 1971. 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. His parents were blind from the start. As a result, he was raised by his mother who worked as a secretary to support the family. Completed artwork should reflect thoughtful ideas to show how the selected hero demonstrates heroic action and creates positive social change. 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. His father died of a heart problem in 1969. Rust didn't hesitate: We will honor your scholarship, he said.