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Plummer loves life after NFL

Former Bronco finds plenty to keep him happy in northern Idaho

By Aaron J. Lopez

Published November 28, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.
Updated November 28, 2007 at 8:52 a.m.

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Jake Plummer competes in the Simple Green U.S. Open Handball tournament last month in Fountain Valley, Calif., with his brother Eric.

Photo by Steven Georges / Long Beach (Calif.) Press-Telegram

Jake Plummer competes in the Simple Green U.S. Open Handball tournament last month in Fountain Valley, Calif., with his brother Eric.

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer looks dejected last Thanksgiving during a 19-10 loss to the Chiefs. He was replaced as starting quarterback the next game by rookie Jay Cutler.

Photo by Joe Mahoney / The Rocky

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer looks dejected last Thanksgiving during a 19-10 loss to the Chiefs. He was replaced as starting quarterback the next game by rookie Jay Cutler.

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In the panhandle of northern Idaho, the daily scouting reports revolve around the latest snowfall at Schweitzer rather than the latest blitz packages in Kansas City.

The ice bags no longer are used to soothe Jake Plummer's aching body but rather to keep the beer cooler cold.

Still sporting the full lumberjack beard that was so familiar in Denver, Plummer finally has found a personal paradise to match his rugged look.

Perhaps the person in charge of Plummer's page on NFL.com has been keeping up with the former Broncos quarterback. Underneath Plummer's career stats, the NFL store was promoting a "laid- back lounge chair" and a knit cap.

Fitting items, considering Plummer probably has been making good use of both as he enjoys retirement.

"Other than Jimmy Buffett and Adam Sandler, I don't know anybody that has a better life than him," longtime friend Doug Tammaro said.

Yes, indeed, life is good for Plummer.

One year after losing his starting job to rookie Jay Cutler, Plummer is taking advantage of a schedule that offers more freedom than he has had in nearly 20 years.

Travel, skiing, concerts, boating, backpacking, handball, Ultimate Frisbee. The recreational choices are endless in Sandpoint, a mountain community less than an hour south of the Canadian border.

"I think he's finally getting to live a kind of life that he's never really had a chance to," said older brother Eric Plummer, who also lives in Sandpoint. "Football always sort of dominated his time and his energies. Now, sort of for the first time, he's got a chance to do some of things that football has precluded him from doing most of his life."

Starting over

From the days when he would climb onto his roof to adjust the antenna for a clearer picture of Monday Night Football, Plummer's life always has centered on football.

He could throw a spiral when he was 10 and was starting for the Arizona State Sun Devils as an 18-year-old freshman. Midway through his rookie NFL season, Plummer took over as the starter for the Arizona Cardinals.

For the better part of 10 NFL seasons, Plummer took a backseat to no one - until Nov. 27. That was the day Broncos coach Mike Shanahan officially took the keys to the Denver offense from Plummer and handed them to Cutler.

Plummer spent the final five weeks of the 2006 season as Cutler's backup and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 2. Plummer promptly retired at age 32, leaving more than $5 million on the table, and hasn't looked back since.

"Just disappeared," Broncos center Tom Nalen said. "I admire him for that."

Raised in the Sawtooth Wilderness of central Idaho, Plummer is not as elusive as Bigfoot, but he has taken up a life of relative anonymity near Sandpoint - a resort community of about 7,000.

He married former Broncos cheerleader Kollette Klassen on Aug. 26 and the two reside with Ray Ray and Kosi, a blue heeler and a border collie that they adopted from a local animal shelter.

"I think he's happy to be away from this world doing his own thing," Broncos placekicker Jason Elam said. "He's with his lady and he's enjoying himself. He's a mountain man and a bit of a hippie at heart. Now he can be that hippie a little bit more."

No regrets

If Plummer has any regrets about his decision to walk away from football, he probably should join the Screen Actors Guild because his friends and family members sure haven't seen any indications he misses the NFL grind.

Plummer declined an interview request, but those who know him can attest to his happiness.

"I think I'd notice if he was itching to get back out there and really missed it," Eric Plummer said. "I definitely don't see that at all."

While attending an Arizona State game in September, Plummer was a picture of relaxation as he walked around with his baseball cap flipped backward. During his induction to the Arizona State Athletic Hall of Fame that same weekend, he wore a sports coat and flip-flops.

"He just kind of blends in," said Tammaro, director of media relations for ASU. "He really looks happy. . . . I think all he wants to prove now is he can hang out with his family."

Another friend, Brett Fischer, said the subject of football hardly came up in conversation during Plummer's weekend visit to Arizona.

"For me, it's amazing because I deal with so many athletes that are trying to get back into it," said Fischer, who owns a high-performance athletic training center in Phoenix. "To see someone at the peak of their career say, 'That's it,' it is different. Basically, he had an injury-free career. Then I say, 'OK, it's Jake.' That's just how Jake is."

Fischer and Tammaro described Plummer as being in great shape. No surprise there. Plummer might be retired, but it's not like he is sitting around munching on pork rinds and guzzling Mountain Dew.

'Great equalizer'

Steve Plummer introduced his three sons to handball at a young age, and Brett, Eric and Jake were drawn to the purity of the sport.

No pads, bats or rackets required. Only speed, athleticism, coordination and agility - assets the Plummer boys had in spades.

"It's the only sport where you really use both sides of your body," said Eric, the middle child. "You almost have to be ambidextrous to play it."

While Jake thrived under the bright lights of the football field, his older brothers continued to hone their handball skills in anonymity. Eric advanced to the collegiate nationals a few times, and he and Brett were a formidable doubles team at official U.S. Handball Association events.

In a bit of foreshadowing, Plummer held his retirement news conference at the Denver Athletic Club, where he and Eric were entered in a handball tournament.

The distinction had been made. Plummer no longer was an NFL quarterback. He was one of the guys.

"When he's on the handball court, he's a handball player. Maybe when he's having a beer afterwards, he's an ex-football player," said Vern Roberts, executive director of the USHA. "Handball's a great equalizer. You've got the Plummers playing against bank presidents."

Jake and Eric stay sharp by playing two or three times a week at the Sandpoint West Athletic Club, which boasts a strong contingent of about 30 elite-level players.

Back in Denver, Plummer's former teammates can't help but be a little envious.

"Playing handball, swinging in a rocking chair, sleeping late," receiver Nate Jackson said. "Not a bad life."

Well-rounded retirement

Though Plummer has attained "A/Open" status, qualifying him to play in major tournaments, man cannot live on handball alone.

With two pieces of pristine property, a new bride, two dogs and a recreational playground in his backyard, Plummer has myriad options when it comes to spending his free time.

He tours Lake Pend Oreille on his boat and tours the world on a healthy travel budget. Free from the standard restrictions of a multimillion football contract, Plummer also can try new activities.

"He even got into some Ultimate Frisbee this past summer," Eric Plummer said. "He'd never played. The first time out there, he was like, 'Oh, man, this is sweet!' He was loving it."

It's easy to picture a stoked Plummer dodging defenders and searching for open teammates on an expansive field of green. After all, that was his job description for half his life, which is why he had no reservations about riding off to enjoy the sunset . . . and the handball court . . . and the ski slope . . . and the mountain trails.

"The main thing a lot of people have overlooked is he has his health," Tammaro said. "That's very important to him. You see guys limping and getting hurt every weekend and having their careers cut short by injury. There's a side to professional football that none of us get to know. He could see that coming and was smart enough to take a step back."

Socially conscious

While his own physical welfare was a big factor in Plummer's decision to retire, he did not forget the welfare of others when he packed his bags and headed north.

As they did when they were in Denver, Plummer and Kollette often spend time walking dogs at local animal shelters, and the Plummers remain committed to raising money to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

During his four seasons in Colorado, he helped families during the holidays through a program called Family Tree. Determined not to leave anyone disappointed in 2007, arrangements were made to have Neiman Marcus employees take underprivileged families shopping this season.

Judianne Atencio, executive director of the Jake Plummer Foundation, said Plummer left a $50,000 grant for the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado and a $50,000 grant for Family Tree.

"This ties up Jake in a nice bow: He never wanted anyone to hurt," Atencio said.

At peace with life

As quarterback of the Broncos, Plummer was a reluctant celebrity. His personal life was fodder for the gossip columns and any missteps were sure to lead the nightly newscasts.

In northern Idaho, he couldn't be any more anonymous than if he were enrolled in a witness-relocation program.

He can take the dogs out for a run without having to worry about being late for a team meeting. He can pack a few groceries into his Honda Element - the same modest crossover vehicle he drove in Denver - without budgeting an extra 15 minutes to sign autographs.

"A lot of people probably don't even recognize him," Eric Plummer said. "I don't think he ever really liked being the center of attention. He just wants to do his thing."

Those plans likely will include starting a family with Kollette, sleeping late and taking his handball skills to the next level.

In other words: Everything's just Jake.

Early goodbyes

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer is not the first prominent NFL player to retire in the prime of his career. Three running backs who chose to walk away from football before the sport forced them to limp away later in life:

* Jim Brown

Age: 30. Year: 1966.

Background: After leading the league in rushing in eight of his nine seasons, Brown walked away from the NFL to pursue an acting career. He retired as the career leader in rushing yards (12,312), touchdowns (126) and rushing touchdowns (106). Brown went on to appear in more than 30 movies and devoted much of his free time to improving race relations.

* Barry Sanders

Age: 31. Year: 1999.

Background: On the eve of training camp, Sanders released a statement to his hometown newspaper in Wichita, Kan., then dodged follow-up inquiries from the media for more than four years. He retired after 10 seasons as the NFL's second-leading rusher and eventually wrote a book about his career.

* Tiki Barber

Age: 31. Year: 2007.

Background: Determined to leave the game on his own terms, Barber made his announcement early in the 2006 season, then stuck to it when the New York Giants were bounced from the playoffs. Barber, whose twin brother, Ronde, plays for Tampa Bay, quickly landed a job working as a studio analyst for NBC.

Comments

  • November 28, 2007

    4 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gwats writes:

    Jake's living the dream... to live life on his own terms. You loser fans in Denver who ran him off after going 40-15 as the starter can kiss his 'Grizzly Adams' furry backside! He who laughs with YOUR MONEY in his bank account laughs loudest.
    How did that taste, ( fair weather) Bronco Fan? Feeling that Jay Cutler buyer's remorse yet? Don't worry..... you will!

  • November 28, 2007

    5:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    alanbl writes:

    Good for Jake! He took a lot of grief in Denver for his long hair and beard but has proven to be a classier act than many of his former colleagues. You have to admire him for his integrity.

  • November 28, 2007

    7:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SouthernBuff writes:

    I agree, good for Jake. He has health, youth and freedom and I only wish I controlled my destiny in the same manner! As for the "loser fans in Denver" comments, gwats, I don't know what to say... The vast, and I mean vast, majority of fans I know in Denver and throughout Colorado LOVED Jake. He is everything we are -- in other words, the anti-Griese. Most I know loved his human qualities. Maybe we saw him as one of us and not your typical big-time athlete. By most accounts that seems true, too.

    It's never good to generalize, especially when you're using the qualities of the few against the whole.

    By the way, Jay Cutler is pretty dang good and I imagine he will continue to be barring injury. I'll take his first 16 games as a good indication of what is to come.

  • November 28, 2007

    7:33 a.m.

    markjohnson07 writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • November 28, 2007

    7:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Map writes:

    Too bad more of you didn't get to meet Jake in person, you'd know what a jerk he really is. Good riddance, JP!!

  • November 28, 2007

    9:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    champ24girl writes:

    Most Broncos fans did love Jake and he was fun to watch - he owned Brady! Those were fun times the Jake years as a Broncos fan...I wish him all the best and miss those Jake the Snake bootlegs!

  • November 28, 2007

    9:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LarryB writes:

    To the half-wits who think they're better than Jake, I don't think Jake gives a rat's behind what you think. I admire him, and I would probably be the same kind of "jerk" if I had to face the likes of you daily.

    Thank you for three great playoff years, Jake. I still proudly wear your jersey.

  • November 28, 2007

    10:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Wizard_of_Id writes:

    Jake was a class act in DEN, brought a winning spirit to the Broncos.

    Shanny screwed him after a career year by bringing in Jay.
    I'm glad Jake is happy and content and I'm sure laughing all the way to the bank with Shannys siging bonuses.

    Enjoy being able to do what everyone wished they could do..

  • November 28, 2007

    11:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    KT writes:

    If the deaths of d-will, nash, tillman, taylor etc have taught anyone anything its that you should life to its fullest. This is the way he wants to live his life and he is happy so I say good for him. Those of us that are non-miserable people can see that. I love football but, when its comes down to it, it's a game. Its good he can move on, happy and un-maimed from his time spent in the NFL.

  • November 28, 2007

    11:36 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    joeblow writes:

    Let us not lionize Jake Plummer. Take football out of the equation and all he is is a guy with a police record for absolutely inapropriate behavior with women and an inability to understand his limitations. (Hint: You would not want happen to your daughter what he was charged and ultimately convicted of.)
    As an athlete, he was an also-ran with an occasional moment of brilliance. He was also a complete boor. Remember him giving the finger to the fans. (Do you think someone's mom or grandmother or little boy or girl deserved that?) Remember his road rage against that old man?
    The majority of athletes ARE NOT ROLE MODELS!!! They are models who play roles!!!
    Jake Plummer may have had certain skills that made him a lot of money playing a game. What he did not have is the humility to understand that he was only a commoner when contrasted with men and women with true talent, compassion and committment.
    Let him play all the handball he wants. After all, he's playing with Pat Bowlen's money....another human stain whose money buys him adulation but not true character.

  • November 28, 2007

    12:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    I liked Jake. He was a good QB. His problem was getting to the next level. But to give him a pass he was missing a dominate defence that could have got him to that next level. Jay is going to be a superstar but he needs help. To follow in John Elway's footsteps can't be easy. Jay has been given a by for now because he is a rookie. Good retirement Jake have a good time.

  • November 28, 2007

    1:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ndbroncofan writes:

    jake was a snake and a fake. I would settle for "nearly 20 years " of playing a game then retiring to play a game the rest of my life. Hell, I bet most people out there would settle for that.

  • November 28, 2007

    3:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    frances writes:

    Jake is a wonderful human being who would thankfully never waste his time reading these posts. Though I enjoyed reading the praiseworthy comments of Jake (and yes I've been a fan since AZ) I am forever amazed by glass-house dwellers who have the gaul to misrepresent other peoples' life histories--people they have never met and never will. And Joe, try trading your glass house for a fish bowl--hope there are no skeletons (real or fabricated) in your closet. Oh, and log off once in a while, get some fresh air--it might clear up your negative, muddied, perspective on strangers.

  • December 2, 2007

    8:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    shooter writes:

    I'm glad Jake retired with his health. I've played handball for 20 plus years, made lots of friends and I'm in excellent health at over 50. Jake will enjoy the same benefits from handball. I remember watching Jake win the Quarterback best of contest in Hawaii one year. He out performed every quarterback in the nfl, so for those of you who doubt his abilities as an athlete, your in denial! He was also a true Bronco, something real Bronco fans understand. I hope to see Jake on the court someday. It would be an honor to hit it around with him. dw, seattle wa

  • August 11, 2008

    11:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mt2ri writes:

    Well, I just returned from a vacation trip to Northern Idaho; Sandpoint to be exact. Picked up the summer 2008 copy of Sandpoint Magazine, and what do you know, an interview with QB Jake Plummer. All you true fans of Jake's might want to know he does NOT miss you, the NFL, Denver, or the Broncos. Here's an excerpt:

    Q. Any chance you'll return to the NFL?
    A. Not at all. Nope, I have no desire.

    Q. Who's your favorite NFL team?
    A. Hmm ...

    Q. Would it be the Broncos?
    A. No, I never was a big Broncos fan growing up. Gosh, I don't know. I don't really have a favorite. I guess growing up I was a New England Patriots fan, but that was way back before they got so big.

    The rest of the article was pretty much uninspiring. His wife Kollette sounds cool, coaching a middle school dance team, and getting involved in the community. But Jake, well that's another story. He walks his dogs once in awhile and chops wood. They’ve been after him to coach middle school football or basketball, but he is not ready yet… whatever…: Jake the Mistake.