AP: Plummer talks about life after football - The Orange Mane

ro_50 · 03-09-2007, 10:01 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2793551

Recently retired QB talks about life after football

Associated Press

DENVER -- Jake Plummer poured a glass of water, took a giant gulp and then talked for almost five minutes about how he was officially retiring from the NFL before stepping away from the podium without answering any questions.

The Denver Broncos quarterback was in a hurry Friday. He had a handball tournament he needed to attend.

"I wanted to come in and tell you guys on camera and face-to-face that the speculation can stop tonight," Plummer said from the Denver Athletic Club. "You can know by the looking in my face and hearing my words that I am retiring from the NFL. At 32 years old, I'm running away from the game. Not in fear or fright, but health-wise. I'm healthy. I'm happy. I have a lot to look forward to in my life."

The Broncos traded Plummer to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 3 for a conditional pick in the 2008 draft. The Bucs made the deal despite being aware of Plummer's retirement plans. He said on the Web site of The Jake Plummer Foundation last Saturday that he was retiring.

"Football has been awesome to me in many ways. I leave the game with my health and happiness, and look forward to the future," Plummer said on the Web site.

Yet there was still doubt whether he'd follow through with retirement. Maybe it was leverage to get traded to the Houston Texans so he could be reunited with former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak?

Plummer doused the speculation.

"You don't have to chase me around anymore," he said. "There will not be a jersey that has an NFL patch right here [pointing to his chest]. If [Broncos third-string quarterback] Preston Parsons gets in somehow, maybe I'll have his jersey on."

Plummer has three years left on his contract and was due $5.3 million in 2007. He led Denver to the AFC championship game two seasons ago, but lost his starting job after 11 games last season to rookie Jay Cutler. Plummer was 40-18 as Denver's starter, including a 1-3 mark in the playoffs.

"I poured my heart and soul into this game, not just in the NFL, but in college and in high school," Plummer said. "I'm ready to move on with my life and try some new challenges."

One of those challenges is handball. He and his brother, Eric, were scheduled to play in the Colorado state handball doubles tournament this weekend.

"Life is grand, life is exciting," Plummer said. "I'm excited to move on, and encounter and take on new challenges with my life. ... I'm excited to see my family more, to be spending time with my friends. You guys can probably know that I'll be at a mountain, either at the bottom or the top of a mountain somewhere. Don't worry about Jake, he'll be fine."

Plummer went out of his way to heap praise on his teammates and how much they meant to him.

"Anything in the NFL I've ever achieved, anything I did that was positive, exciting, got you on your feet, I couldn't have done it without the guys surrounding me, the guys that gave me the love, gave me the energy," Plummer said. "If anything, that's the hardest thing -- I'll miss those guys."

Plummer gripped the edge of the podium and stared down.

"Just know I'm going to be fine," he said. "I appreciate everyone's support. So, thank you."

With that he retreated down the hall of the Denver Athletic Club to get ready for his handball match.

maven · 03-09-2007, 10:04 PM

Good for him. And good riddance.

RMT · 03-09-2007, 10:18 PM

words of a quitter *pun intended* ... that's for you ZachKC.

scttgrd · 03-09-2007, 10:20 PM

Was never sure, what to make of Jake Plummer? But how many of us get to go out on our own terms thanking those people who helped us the most. He was a heart breaker in a Denver uniform at times but always the kind of guy we all wish we had as a friend. Thanks for the time Jake.

Sassy · 03-09-2007, 10:22 PM

I thought it was kind of classy...
Gave all the credit to teammates...Thanks Jake.

Plummer went out of his way to heap praise on his teammates and how much they meant to him.

"Anything in the NFL I've ever achieved, anything I did that was positive, exciting, got you on your feet, I couldn't have done it without the guys surrounding me, the guys that gave me the love, gave me the energy," Plummer said. "If anything, that's the hardest thing -- I'll miss those guys."

ZachKC · 03-09-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMT

words of a quitter.

Words of a brave man hiding behind his keyboard on the internet to a former NFL Quarterback.

watermock · 03-09-2007, 10:24 PM

So he waits three weeks to make a statement?

Atlas · 03-09-2007, 10:27 PM

I'm glad for Jake Denver cut him or traded him he doesn't owe the Broncos anything. Jake is a good guy and I'm pretty sure the 2nd half of his life will be more fullilling to him than the first.

scttgrd · 03-09-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMT

words of a quitter.

He could have sat on the bench somewhere else and banked 10-15 million for hanging around. Instead he walked away like a man on his own terms. Doesen't matter if he was any good or whether or not you liked him, he walked away giving the praise to his teamates.

Rock Chalk · 03-09-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watermock

So he waits three weeks to make a statement?

SO what, wtf does he owe you you bandwagon piece of ****? GO find a VIking board and rid us of your presence you worthless pile of horse dung.

scttgrd · 03-09-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMT

words of a quitter.

Damn you RMT! I had to agree with Zach KC, now I feel dirty. Damn KC fans. No Offence Zack, just how it is.

maven · 03-09-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachKC

Words of a brave man hiding behind his keyboard on the internet to a former NFL Quarterback.

Even though the post wasn't directed at me

"man hiding behind his keyboard"

Seriously, that is always one of the lamest posts one can use on a message board.

Pendejo · 03-09-2007, 10:44 PM

I'll buy it when this phoney actually files retirement papers.

He's taken enough scratch from both of his NFL employers to afford to express his retirement letter.

-Slap- · 03-09-2007, 10:46 PM

I just love the jealousy and bitterness dripping from this comment:

"You don't have to chase me around anymore," he said. "There will not be a jersey that has an NFL patch right here [pointing to his chest]. If [Broncos third-string quarterback] Preston Parsons gets in somehow, maybe I'll have his jersey on."

What's the matter, Jake? Hoping something bad happens to Jay?

Meck77 · 03-09-2007, 10:46 PM

I told you guys he was going fishing and not out to swindel money like many were suggesting.

maven · 03-09-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Slap-

What's the matter, Jake? Hoping something bad happens to Jay?

No f'n ****. I found that statement odd.

Pendejo · 03-09-2007, 10:51 PM

All he has to do is mail in the retirement papers. He hasn't done it yet, and he won't.

He's a potzer.

baja · 03-09-2007, 11:38 PM

Good for you Jake

A long and happy life to you my man!

Hogan11 · 03-09-2007, 11:43 PM

He's gone, the page has been turned and thus his comments are irrelevant now.

Have a nice life, thanks for the memories and don't let the door hit you on the azz on the way out.

Bronco_Beerslug · 03-09-2007, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meck77

I told you guys he was going fishing and not out to swindel money like many were suggesting.

How come he hasn't filed the (quitter) paper work?

azbroncfan · 03-09-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

How come he hasn't filed the (quitter) paper work?

He filed today.

BlaK-Argentina · 03-10-2007, 12:09 AM

It's good to know that he played his last game as a Bronco. I've always liked him . (that said, I'm REALLY looking forward to the Cutler era)

Good luck Jake!!!

wolf754life · 03-10-2007, 12:15 AM

**** jake plummer, he didn't have it, he knows it, he quit...............he quit on the team, on the fans, on his career on thanksgiving night in K.C.

All the proof you need is in the San Fran game when he went in after foster let the niners kill cutler. Season on the line, if ever there was a time, what does he do? chucks up a prayer, INT, he didn't care, no blame for him to bare!

Alec and all the fanboys can defend him all they want, the guy is a joke. A sad one at that. A handball tourney? please? he is ducking the hard questions, we all know he quit, we all know he was exposed after the AFC chipper. He couldn't read defenses, couldn't make the throws against man cover, he wasn't and never was good enough.

The last straw was playing this out the way he did, NO CLASS!

Popps · 03-10-2007, 12:17 AM

Getting out of the game with good knees and plenty of money instead of screwing around down in Tampa for a couple of years? Big deal. Dude did what he wanted to do. More power to him.

Thanks for putting the spark back in the organization, Jake... and thanks for the wins.

Now, it's time for Jay to finish what he started.

baja · 03-10-2007, 12:27 AM

This is a very interesting thread. It's one of those threads that is very telling about the real life make up of the people posting on it.

Jake lost his game last year but calling him a quitter is just insane.

I see no reason to be angry with Jake Plummer, he played as hard as he could and decided to walk away after ten years of pro ball. I am sure it is not always fun playing for Shanahan with his controlling ways, not to say they don't payoff in wins. I have noticed his players lately don't have it when they need it the most and that is a reflection on enjoyment and passion for the game. The steelers won a super bowl with mostly that as did Mr. John Elway.

I think Jake just wanted to put some fun back in his life and left over 10 million on the table to do it. I gotta respect that.

03-09-2007, 10:01 PM	#1
ro_50 Ring of Famer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somewhere in Jersey Posts: 3,782	AP: Plummer talks about life after football http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2793551 Recently retired QB talks about life after football Associated Press DENVER -- Jake Plummer poured a glass of water, took a giant gulp and then talked for almost five minutes about how he was officially retiring from the NFL before stepping away from the podium without answering any questions. The Denver Broncos quarterback was in a hurry Friday. He had a handball tournament he needed to attend. "I wanted to come in and tell you guys on camera and face-to-face that the speculation can stop tonight," Plummer said from the Denver Athletic Club. "You can know by the looking in my face and hearing my words that I am retiring from the NFL. At 32 years old, I'm running away from the game. Not in fear or fright, but health-wise. I'm healthy. I'm happy. I have a lot to look forward to in my life." The Broncos traded Plummer to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 3 for a conditional pick in the 2008 draft. The Bucs made the deal despite being aware of Plummer's retirement plans. He said on the Web site of The Jake Plummer Foundation last Saturday that he was retiring. "Football has been awesome to me in many ways. I leave the game with my health and happiness, and look forward to the future," Plummer said on the Web site. Yet there was still doubt whether he'd follow through with retirement. Maybe it was leverage to get traded to the Houston Texans so he could be reunited with former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak? Plummer doused the speculation. "You don't have to chase me around anymore," he said. "There will not be a jersey that has an NFL patch right here [pointing to his chest]. If [Broncos third-string quarterback] Preston Parsons gets in somehow, maybe I'll have his jersey on." Plummer has three years left on his contract and was due $5.3 million in 2007. He led Denver to the AFC championship game two seasons ago, but lost his starting job after 11 games last season to rookie Jay Cutler. Plummer was 40-18 as Denver's starter, including a 1-3 mark in the playoffs. "I poured my heart and soul into this game, not just in the NFL, but in college and in high school," Plummer said. "I'm ready to move on with my life and try some new challenges." One of those challenges is handball. He and his brother, Eric, were scheduled to play in the Colorado state handball doubles tournament this weekend. "Life is grand, life is exciting," Plummer said. "I'm excited to move on, and encounter and take on new challenges with my life. ... I'm excited to see my family more, to be spending time with my friends. You guys can probably know that I'll be at a mountain, either at the bottom or the top of a mountain somewhere. Don't worry about Jake, he'll be fine." Plummer went out of his way to heap praise on his teammates and how much they meant to him. "Anything in the NFL I've ever achieved, anything I did that was positive, exciting, got you on your feet, I couldn't have done it without the guys surrounding me, the guys that gave me the love, gave me the energy," Plummer said. "If anything, that's the hardest thing -- I'll miss those guys." Plummer gripped the edge of the podium and stared down. "Just know I'm going to be fine," he said. "I appreciate everyone's support. So, thank you." With that he retreated down the hall of the Denver Athletic Club to get ready for his handball match.

03-09-2007, 10:18 PM	#3
RMT Rocky Mountain Thunder Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: United States Posts: 3,211	words of a quitter pun intended ... that's for you ZachKC. Last edited by RMT; 03-10-2007 at 01:11 AM..

03-10-2007, 12:27 AM	#25
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,907 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	This is a very interesting thread. It's one of those threads that is very telling about the real life make up of the people posting on it. Jake lost his game last year but calling him a quitter is just insane. I see no reason to be angry with Jake Plummer, he played as hard as he could and decided to walk away after ten years of pro ball. I am sure it is not always fun playing for Shanahan with his controlling ways, not to say they don't payoff in wins. I have noticed his players lately don't have it when they need it the most and that is a reflection on enjoyment and passion for the game. The steelers won a super bowl with mostly that as did Mr. John Elway. I think Jake just wanted to put some fun back in his life and left over 10 million on the table to do it. I gotta respect that. Last edited by baja; 03-10-2007 at 12:42 AM..

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03-09-2007, 10:04 PM	#2
maven ★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆ Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,757	Good for him. And good riddance.

03-09-2007, 10:20 PM	#4
scttgrd Just treading water Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Aurora Posts: 1,288 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brandon Mashall	Was never sure, what to make of Jake Plummer? But how many of us get to go out on our own terms thanking those people who helped us the most. He was a heart breaker in a Denver uniform at times but always the kind of guy we all wish we had as a friend. Thanks for the time Jake.

03-09-2007, 10:22 PM	#5
Sassy Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Location: ND Posts: 37,952 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	I thought it was kind of classy... Gave all the credit to teammates...Thanks Jake. Plummer went out of his way to heap praise on his teammates and how much they meant to him. "Anything in the NFL I've ever achieved, anything I did that was positive, exciting, got you on your feet, I couldn't have done it without the guys surrounding me, the guys that gave me the love, gave me the energy," Plummer said. "If anything, that's the hardest thing -- I'll miss those guys."

03-09-2007, 10:24 PM	#7
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	So he waits three weeks to make a statement?

03-09-2007, 10:27 PM	#8
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	I'm glad for Jake Denver cut him or traded him he doesn't owe the Broncos anything. Jake is a good guy and I'm pretty sure the 2nd half of his life will be more fullilling to him than the first.

03-09-2007, 10:44 PM	#13
Pendejo The off-season. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,946 Adopt-a-Bronco: "The Greek"	I'll buy it when this phoney actually files retirement papers. He's taken enough scratch from both of his NFL employers to afford to express his retirement letter.

03-09-2007, 10:46 PM	#14
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	I just love the jealousy and bitterness dripping from this comment: "You don't have to chase me around anymore," he said. "There will not be a jersey that has an NFL patch right here [pointing to his chest]. If [Broncos third-string quarterback] Preston Parsons gets in somehow, maybe I'll have his jersey on." What's the matter, Jake? Hoping something bad happens to Jay?

03-09-2007, 10:46 PM	#15
Meck77 Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 16,312	I told you guys he was going fishing and not out to swindel money like many were suggesting.

03-09-2007, 10:51 PM	#17
Pendejo The off-season. Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,946 Adopt-a-Bronco: "The Greek"	All he has to do is mail in the retirement papers. He hasn't done it yet, and he won't. He's a potzer.

03-09-2007, 11:38 PM	#18
baja It is what it Is. Pay attention. Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 53,907 Adopt-a-Bronco: Buy My Book	Good for you Jake A long and happy life to you my man!

03-09-2007, 11:43 PM	#19
Hogan11 Rock-N-Roll Historian Let's take these SOB's out!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: W.NY.B.C. Posts: 21,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Floyd Little	He's gone, the page has been turned and thus his comments are irrelevant now. Have a nice life, thanks for the memories and don't let the door hit you on the azz on the way out.

03-10-2007, 12:09 AM	#22
BlaK-Argentina Pampita says... ... support your team! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mar del Plata, Argentina. Posts: 5,174 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	It's good to know that he played his last game as a Bronco. I've always liked him . (that said, I'm REALLY looking forward to the Cutler era) Good luck Jake!!!

03-10-2007, 12:15 AM	#23
wolf754life Bleed Orange and Blue more scoring + more tackling = $$$ Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,776	**** jake plummer, he didn't have it, he knows it, he quit...............he quit on the team, on the fans, on his career on thanksgiving night in K.C. All the proof you need is in the San Fran game when he went in after foster let the niners kill cutler. Season on the line, if ever there was a time, what does he do? chucks up a prayer, INT, he didn't care, no blame for him to bare! Alec and all the fanboys can defend him all they want, the guy is a joke. A sad one at that. A handball tourney? please? he is ducking the hard questions, we all know he quit, we all know he was exposed after the AFC chipper. He couldn't read defenses, couldn't make the throws against man cover, he wasn't and never was good enough. The last straw was playing this out the way he did, NO CLASS!

03-10-2007, 12:17 AM	#24
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,785	Getting out of the game with good knees and plenty of money instead of screwing around down in Tampa for a couple of years? Big deal. Dude did what he wanted to do. More power to him. Thanks for putting the spark back in the organization, Jake... and thanks for the wins. Now, it's time for Jay to finish what he started.