Jim Plunkett connected on 1,943 of his attempted career 3,701 tosses for a completion percentage of 52.5%. yds and he averaged 164.9 yards per outing. For his career, Plunkett threw for a total of 25,882 yards with 164 TD’s and 198 interceptions. He had a QB rating of a TD rate of 4.4% and an interception rate of 5.3%. Over the course of his time in the NFL, he was driven to the ground via sack 380 different times for a total of 2,280 yds lost.
In 0 contests in his final year, Plunkett completed 0 of his 0 tries for a total of 0 yards. He averaged 0.0 yards per game through the air with a 0.0 quarterback rating. Plunkett passed for 0 touchdowns in his last year while tossing 0 interceptions and his longest completion of the year went for 0 yds. He was driven back 0 yards while being the victim of a QB sack 0 different times. His touchdown percentage on pass attempts was 0.0% and his interception rate was 0.0%.
Jim Plunkett’s journey in the NFL has been nothing short of remarkable. Born on December 5, 1947, in San Jose, California, Plunkett’s career spanned over two decades, with significant milestones achieved in both the college and professional levels.
Before entering the NFL, Plunkett played as a quarterback for Stanford University, where he shined as a star college athlete. In 1970, he led the Stanford football team to an unforgettable victory in the Rose Bowl against Michigan with a score of 17-14. Plunkett’s performance in that game made him the first Heisman Trophy winner in the history of Stanford football program. His outstanding performance as a college quarterback laid the foundation for his future success in the NFL.
After an impressive college career, Plunkett was selected first overall in the 1971 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He quickly became a prominent figure in the team, and in the same year, he was named the NFL Rookie of the Year. However, despite showing glimpses of brilliance, Plunkett struggled with consistency during his time with the Patriots, often finding himself benched for other quarterbacks.
In 1976, Plunkett’s career took a new turn as he was traded to the Oakland Raiders. During his first few years with the team, Plunkett continued to battle through injuries and inconsistency, leading some to question his future prospects in the league. However, in an unexpected twist of fate, Plunkett would go on to lead the Raiders to one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.
With the Raiders trailing the 1980 AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers by fourteen points, Plunkett led a heroic comeback that would ultimately propel them to victory. Following this incredible turnaround, Plunkett and the Raiders continued their charge into Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, despite being underdogs, the Raiders claimed a 27-10 victory, with Plunkett earning three Super Bowl MVP awards.
Four years later, in 1983, Plunkett found himself in another fairy-tale scenario as the Raiders faced the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII. Although the Raiders were underdogs yet again, Plunkett led his team to an impressive 38-9 victory and earned another Super Bowl MVP award.
After playing his final game in 1986, Plunkett retired from the NFL with a legacy of resilience, determination, and incredible on-field performance. His status as a two-time Super Bowl MVP and the only one in NFL history to triumphantly bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the role of a backup quarterback is further proof of his tenacity and skill as a player.
It is no surprise then that on August 2, 2000, Jim Plunkett was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, acknowledging his immense contributions to the sport. His unwavering spirit in the face of adversity and numerous obstacles serves as an inspiration to aspiring NFL players and football enthusiasts alike.
The legacy of Jim Plunkett in the NFL will continue to be remembered long after his retirement from professional football. The extraordinary rise and unexpected success of the former Stanford University star quarterback have engraved his name in history as one of the most incredible comeback stories in American sports. As a symbol of perseverance, inspiration, and talent, Plunkett’s legacy will always be cherished and admired by his devoted fans and the football community at large.