JakeGirl
09-24-2007, 04:17 PM
Plummer set for ASU's Hall
Jeff Metcalfe
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 22, 2007 12:00 AM
For the most part, Jake Plummer is no longer being asked if he's really retired from football.
"Now where we're at, people have let it go," said Plummer, who will be inducted into the Arizona State Athletic Hall of Fame tonight. "They're asking why did you retire. That's the question I get more than 'Are you going to Tampa Bay?' People see I wasn't kidding about being done and ready to move on. I'm really happy with the decision and very content."
Plummer was traded by the Denver Broncos to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March but has not wavered from a decision to retire after 10 years in the NFL. He was the Cardinals' starting quarterback from 1997-2002, then signed as a free agent and played four seasons with the Broncos. advertisement
"I played a lot of ball. I was ready to go and do different stuff while I still have my legs and knees and my back is intact. I'm not in perfect shape, but I'm as close as I could be for a 32-year-old. I want to make sure I can do some fun things like playing handball."
Handball is the new sport of choice for Plummer, who is entered in a major California tournament with his brother Eric. Eric and his other brother Brett have been Idaho state handball champions.
"It's a very competitive sport," Plummer said. "You have to be involved to explain the camaraderie. I can have a match set up in an hour anywhere in town with any number of players. They accept you immediately without any questions.
"When the first Sunday (of the NFL) rolled around, I was busy enjoying myself. It was a lot of stress in my life. Not in a bad way, just the weight that playing ball carries, especially in a city like Denver. It's nice to be able to relax. I'm enjoying watching from that perspective, as a fan and not as a player."
Plummer and six others will be honored during halftime ceremonies at Sun Devil Stadium. He was 24-16 as a four-year starter at ASU and left with school records for passing yards (8,827), touchdown passes (65) and completions (632). Those records have been eclipsed by Andrew Walter.
Plummer said he is excited about Dennis Erickson being the new Sun Devils coach, especially given his ties to Erickson's staff.
Dan Cozzetto, back as tight ends coach, was offensive coordinator under Bruce Snyder and was involved in recruiting Plummer out of Boise, Idaho, in February 1993.
Rich Olson, now ASU offensive coordinator, was offensive coordinator in Plummer's final two seasons with the Cardinals.
"His track record speaks for itself," Plummer said of Erickson. "His potential for recruiting should put us on the map and give us a chance to get back to the year we had when I was a senior."
Plummer is here with his wife, Kollette. They were married on Aug. 26 and are living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. "I'm lucky I found a woman who can put up with me," he said. "She's my big support."
He wants to have a family and eventually try coaching. "Not any higher than the high school level," because of the time commitment in college and pro, he said. "It's a game I love and played all my life. It'll be hard to keep me away."
Plummer said he'll be representing all of his ASU teammates tonight, including the late Pat Tillman.
"It's kind of funny, I was at ASU four years and with the Cardinals for six," Plummer said Friday. "When I come back, what stands out is those years at ASU and the Rose Bowl year (1996 season). It was fun that one big year with the Cardinals (1998 playoffs), but nothing like making it to the Rose Bowl."
Best Regards,
Jeff Metcalfe
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 22, 2007 12:00 AM
For the most part, Jake Plummer is no longer being asked if he's really retired from football.
"Now where we're at, people have let it go," said Plummer, who will be inducted into the Arizona State Athletic Hall of Fame tonight. "They're asking why did you retire. That's the question I get more than 'Are you going to Tampa Bay?' People see I wasn't kidding about being done and ready to move on. I'm really happy with the decision and very content."
Plummer was traded by the Denver Broncos to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March but has not wavered from a decision to retire after 10 years in the NFL. He was the Cardinals' starting quarterback from 1997-2002, then signed as a free agent and played four seasons with the Broncos. advertisement
"I played a lot of ball. I was ready to go and do different stuff while I still have my legs and knees and my back is intact. I'm not in perfect shape, but I'm as close as I could be for a 32-year-old. I want to make sure I can do some fun things like playing handball."
Handball is the new sport of choice for Plummer, who is entered in a major California tournament with his brother Eric. Eric and his other brother Brett have been Idaho state handball champions.
"It's a very competitive sport," Plummer said. "You have to be involved to explain the camaraderie. I can have a match set up in an hour anywhere in town with any number of players. They accept you immediately without any questions.
"When the first Sunday (of the NFL) rolled around, I was busy enjoying myself. It was a lot of stress in my life. Not in a bad way, just the weight that playing ball carries, especially in a city like Denver. It's nice to be able to relax. I'm enjoying watching from that perspective, as a fan and not as a player."
Plummer and six others will be honored during halftime ceremonies at Sun Devil Stadium. He was 24-16 as a four-year starter at ASU and left with school records for passing yards (8,827), touchdown passes (65) and completions (632). Those records have been eclipsed by Andrew Walter.
Plummer said he is excited about Dennis Erickson being the new Sun Devils coach, especially given his ties to Erickson's staff.
Dan Cozzetto, back as tight ends coach, was offensive coordinator under Bruce Snyder and was involved in recruiting Plummer out of Boise, Idaho, in February 1993.
Rich Olson, now ASU offensive coordinator, was offensive coordinator in Plummer's final two seasons with the Cardinals.
"His track record speaks for itself," Plummer said of Erickson. "His potential for recruiting should put us on the map and give us a chance to get back to the year we had when I was a senior."
Plummer is here with his wife, Kollette. They were married on Aug. 26 and are living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. "I'm lucky I found a woman who can put up with me," he said. "She's my big support."
He wants to have a family and eventually try coaching. "Not any higher than the high school level," because of the time commitment in college and pro, he said. "It's a game I love and played all my life. It'll be hard to keep me away."
Plummer said he'll be representing all of his ASU teammates tonight, including the late Pat Tillman.
"It's kind of funny, I was at ASU four years and with the Cardinals for six," Plummer said Friday. "When I come back, what stands out is those years at ASU and the Rose Bowl year (1996 season). It was fun that one big year with the Cardinals (1998 playoffs), but nothing like making it to the Rose Bowl."
Best Regards,