Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. His mother, Carmen, had not seen the outside world since she was 19 years old due to typhoid. Plunkett's parents were both born in New Mexico, both Mexican Americans; his mother, whose maiden name was Carmen Blea, was born in Santa . ''Especially in the parks,'' he recalled. Jim was a hard worker because, instead of feeling sorry for himself, he spent his time trying to improve. . From 1984-86, Plunkett made only 17 starts, mostly because of injury. "I'm 10 years older than you," says a sportswriter celebrating his 72nd birthday. Although Plunkett passed for 19 touchdowns and led the Pats to a 7-7 record in 1974, injuries mounted. Rust, now 82, remembers making that promise impulsively, confident that Stanford would back him up. ", In addition to mustering his physical skills, Plunkett had to change the coaches' perception of what a leader was. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best . Ever since then, her doctor hasn't wanted her to fly. Jim Plunketts story is told in a film, and its a fascinating look at American football history. 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. 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. Fortunately, he says, I was able to take advantage.. 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. 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. William was legally blind and worked as a news vendor, in addition to working as a news vendor. If Plunkett was a leading passer, he was also a sentimental favorite. Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. The next year he was, to San Francisco. 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). 3 quarterback, Plunkett didn't play in 1978. Or if they wanted to clean the house, they cleaned the house. 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. Early life []. "The best college football player I've ever seen," said Washington State coach Jim Sweeney. His father, who was of Irish descent, passed away when Plunkett was just nine years old. He played for the Patriots for four seasons, before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1975. Any time that I didn't do that, I heard about it. He played in two Super Bowls and was named Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XV. 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. 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. View winning films from the MY HERO International Film Festival! 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. A month before his enrollment, Plunkett was told by doctors that the lump he had felt at the base of his neck was cancerous. 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. With a career total offense of 7,887 yards, including passing for 7,544, Plunkett set an NCAA record. "I'd never known anybody could throw a football so hard it whistled until Jim did it. His mother, Carmen, was sightless since . It took a lot of courage to get there. MAC 76. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. '', His mother attended the 1971 Rose Bowl game that Stanford won, 27-17, from Ohio State. the combining form for plasma minus the clotting proteins is jim plunkett parents blind He was a member of the National Football Leagues Atlanta Falcons for 16 seasons. Released from the 49ers after suffering further injuries, Plunkett signed with the Oakland Raiders for 1978. AGI 74. His parents were blind, and he chose nearby Stanford so he could be near them. The year before, he was selected first overall in the draft, becoming the first Hispanic player to do so. 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. He's a good guy.". 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. He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1976, released two seasons later, then signed by the Raiders. 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. TUP 83. "They'd never faced a passing team such as ours," he said. My mother would tell us kids to take care of our father. She's 67 now and I don't think she went to any of the Raider games last year. Plunkett led the 49ers to a 61 start before faltering to an 86 record. He was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1990. He also owns a beer distributorship. ''If they wanted to go somewhere, they went. Finally, after Pastorini suffered a broken leg in early October, Plunkett was pressed into service. Jim Plunkett arrived with other young playersJack Lasater, Bob Moore, Jack Schultzwho, like him, felt the pangs of being an outsider. 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). After Jimmy's death, Meghan chose to keep the dog with her in part to honor what she believed would have been her brother's wish. Completing 13-of-21 passes and three scoring strikes, two to Cliff Branch and an 80-yarder to Kenny King, he accounted for all of Oakland's touchdowns in the 27-10 victory. 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). And then there's family. His performance led to Plunkett playing in a state all-star game and that in turn led to interest from numerous colleges. Jim Plunkett learned about perspective growing up as the only son, along with two older sisters, of blind parents. With a Super Bowl MVP in hand, Plunkett's comeback season was complete. While working as a news vendor, his father, William, was legally blind. 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. Two years after that, Pastorinis injury gave Plunkett the opportunity hed long awaited. Surgery was required to remove a malignant tumor that would end his football playing days. AWR 80. Despite this, Hart has largely been overlooked, despite his role in the Raiders organization. His dad sold newspapers at a corner stand in San Jose, right outside San Francisco. He was the first of three children born to James and Geraldine Plunkett. His parents were poor and blind, but they were very proud. Biography. Stanford University. He is a role model for never giving up. And he ended up an emblem of individual and shared achievement on a team that's linked forever by one revered season. 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 thing I'm sorry for,'' he said, ''is that my father worked so hard but he wasn't around for the best part -winning the Heisman Trophy, going to the Rose Bowl, being the No. 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. Completed artwork should reflect thoughtful ideas to show how the selected hero demonstrates heroic action and creates positive social change. No rushing or total offense stats currently available for Plunkett. He retired during the 1988 pre-season as the fourth-leading passer in Raiders history. 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. Browse, share, and add to our enormous collection of inspiring hero films. Stanford went 22-8-2 in his three years, and he said his best game was a 27-17 victory over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl January 1, 1971. 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. William Plunkett first worked in the Richmond shipyards. 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. Jim also had two sisters. He passed for 18 touchdowns and 2,299 yards during the season, guiding the Raiders to nine victories in their last 11 games and a wild-card spot in the playoffs. Prior to retiring, he earned between $400,000 and $600,000 per year. In the family's home, one room is dedicated to Plunkett's accomplishments. 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. Bill Parcells was the first Hispanic-American head coach of the NFL, and Tom Flores won two Super Bowl rings. He was also named the nations top football player in addition to winning the Maxwell Award. Our gallery features art in the theme of heroism. Back-to-back winning seasons had been blemished by key losses, and they were down to their last chance to win a championship. Plunkett guided Oakland to nine victories in eleven games and a playoff berth as a wild card. The Truth About Johnny Cash: Was The Country Legend Tone Deaf? 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. He never let go of his dream. He is valued at Stanford not only for his academic achievements, but also for his humility and commitment as a student from the very beginning. We took a lot of walks because neither of my parents could drive. At this time, Heisman voters are spread out across five regions. As White notes, the Stanford coaching staff had learned football as mostly an exercise in running the ball. During training camp in 1980, Plunkett asked to be traded because he expected to have virtually no playing time again. 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. I do feel somewhat slighted, Plunkett says. 111 Broadway, Suite 103A "He was on my shoulder the whole time," Moore recalls. "I really thought I was going to be the savior," Plunkett said, "but all I did was put more pressure on myself.". The USC game fell halfway into that 1970 season. The Raiders advanced to Super Bowl XVIII, where they defeated the Washington Redskins, 389. 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. He was born to a blind mother and father.. In college, however, Jim won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to the Rose bowl. Andrew Luck is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time in college football. "In 1972 my confidence ran into a stone wall," he said. 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. This display of offensive firepower led Washington State coach Jim Sweeney to call Plunkett "The best college football player I've ever seen." 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. Ball Carrier. But I have a terrible back and my left shoulder really doesnt work too well.. Voit Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Carmen was born blind as a result of typhoid fever, which occurred when she was 19 years old. 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. His mother then took a job as a bank teller to support the family. The year of practice and no play helped Plunkett. My father, and later on my sisters, prepared most of the meals. Carmen was also of Native American ancestry. Upon entering Stanford University, Plunkett endured a rough freshman campaign after being weakened by a thyroid operation. Randy Vataha had the same misgivings when he transferred in as a junior. '', When he and his mother, Carmen, took walks, he would describe the scenery to her. In exchange for Ken Stabler, Jim Pastorini was traded by the Oakland Raiders to the Houston Astros. '', Jim Plunkett is reminded of that whenever he visits his mother now. He was the youngest of three children and his parents divorced when he was just a toddler. The Oakland Raiders have had a total of 25 members inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including players, executives, and coaches. Our type of system was almost perfect for Jim, Flores says. Three years later, Plunkett helped Oakland to another Super Bowl triumph, this one over Washington. He became the second multiple recipient of the W.J. And our father would tell us to take care of our mother. ''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. Plunkett reflected that his life "sucks" as a result of his physical injuries. A month before his enrollment, Plunkett was told by doctors that the lump he had felt at the base of his neck was cancerous. I know life goes on but its been devastating. Thirty years ago this week, Plunkett led the Raiders to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. Jims son jumped from a high-rise apartment building four years ago while suffering from severe manic depression. 326 Galvez Street ''She also went to some of the Stanford games in Palo Alto,'' he said. His father William died of a heart attack in 1969. Jim Plunkett - Biography Biography Plunkett was born to Mexican American parents with an Irish-German great-grandfather on his paternal side. He was a star quarterback in high school, and went on to play for Stanford University. Mike Antonucci is the senior writer at Stanford. The surgery required to remove a malignant tumor would end his football playing days. Visitors, teachers, students, and MY HERO staff publish all kinds of stories, from inspirational essays about a close friend, to important global issues. 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 net yards passing and most yards total offense were NCAA records at the time. 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. Jim attended James Lick High School in East San Jose, California.He won the Heisman Trophy in 1970 as quarterback for Stanford University. Jim Plunkett was instrumental in the Oakland Raiders winning Super Bowl titles in 1980 and 1983. Sign-up for our newsletter to inspire your inbox. The 1972 season brought a different look: only eight touchdown passes, 25 interceptions (up from 16 as a rookie), a 3-11 record and many hard knocks. He was named the NFLs Comeback Player of the Year in 1981. That year he was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XV, and was named the Comeback Player of the Year. 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. It was the low point in my career really hard to take, he says of the 49ers move. The answer is no. After a 59 season in 1977, the 49ers released him during the 1978 preseason. ''I'd go there and help him,'' Jim Plunkett said. 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. Plunkett's pro career started promisingly after the New England Patriots made him the No. Jim also had two sisters. I didn't do things to put them out, though. ''I know my mother didn't make the trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl because she doesn't fly anymore,'' he said. 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. He wore very thick glasses,'' he said. Jack and Aletha were determined to give Jim a normal life, and he attended public schools and played sports. In his first game as a starter, he completed eleven of fourteen passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. The most prestigious award in college football. 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. 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. 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. "When I found out I'd finished second to Jim," said Theismann in 1984, "I was genuinely crushed. 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 found in his neck during a physical examination before his freshman year at Stanford. 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. From the spoken words of influential leaders, to emotionally powerful lyrics in a song, heroic audio is all around us. Submit your film TODAY!! His 15 surgeries have included six on his left shoulder, one on his right shoulder, two on his neck and six on his knees. He will always be remembered as one of the Silver and Blacks best players, and his exploits in the teams past will live on after his playing days are over. Jim made great contributions to professional football because he helped the Raiders beat the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl. It proved to be one of the most astute decisions made by the Raiders oft-criticized owner. Teammates never doubted who was in command if they didn't do their jobs. 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. It foretold the enduring intensity of Plunkett's relationship with Stanford. For example, he once damaged his shoulder, but he kept on playing.