Jake Plummer

Jason Steven “Jake” Plummer was born on December 19, 1974, in Boise, Idaho. He grew up in Smiley Creek and attended Capital High School, where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. He was an all-state selection as both a quarterback and punter, accumulating 6,097 yards and 68 touchdowns during his junior and senior years. Plummer initially committed to California but was later recruited to Arizona State University on a full scholarship. During his college career with the Arizona State Sun Devils from 1993 to 1996, Plummer became known for his consistent performance. He set a school record for career passing yards in 1996, leading the Sun Devils to an undefeated regular season and a Pac-10 championship. His senior season also included a notable 19-0 shutout victory against top-ranked Nebraska, snapping their 26-game winning streak. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting and was selected as a first-team All-American and the Pac-10’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1996.

Plummer was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft. He played six seasons with the Cardinals (1997-2002), where he led the team to their first postseason victory since 1947 in 1998, upsetting the Dallas Cowboys. After his time with the Cardinals, Plummer signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2003. He played four seasons with the Broncos (2003-2006), leading them to playoff berths in 2003, 2004, and 2005. His 2005 season was a career highlight, with 229 passes without an interception, earning him a Pro Bowl selection. Plummer retired from the NFL in 2007 after being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, opting for retirement over continued play and settling a contract dispute with the Buccaneers for $3.5 million.