Last year, Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer was the face of the NFL’s pledge to keep alive the memory of Pat Tillman, honoring his close friend in ways that angered the league and altered Plummer’s appearance.
This year, Plummer will attempt to pay tribute to his fallen friend every game – benefiting Tillman’s foundation and the Broncos.
For every touchdown pass Plummer throws this season, he will donate $1,000 to Team Tillman, a branch of the Pat Tillman Foundation that helps college students become involved in their communities. Tillman, an NFL player turned U.S. Army Ranger, was killed in Afghanistan in the line of duty in April 2004. He was 27.
Plummer made national headlines last year when he defied the NFL by wearing Tillman’s No. 40 decal on the back of his helmet after the league had vetoed it. Plummer, who also grew a beard similar to the one Tillman wore, worked with the NFL later in the season to honor his friend. Plummer and Tillman were teammates at Arizona State and with the Arizona Cardinals.
Plummer will honor Tillman this season each time he passes to a teammate in the end zone.
“It gives me extra incentive to throw a touchdown,” Plummer said. “Every time I hit a touchdown, Pat will cross my mind. I’ll be helping the memory of Pat and helping the team, too. It’s the best of two worlds.”
If the preseason is any indication, Team Tillman may be on the verge of a windfall as Plummer prepares to lead the Broncos into Miami on Sunday for the season opener. In his third year with the Broncos, Plummer, 30, looks more comfortable in coach Mike Shanahan’s complex offense.
In three preseason games, Plummer threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions for a passer rating of 123.6. He completed 23-of-35 passes (.657) for 321 yards.
The paramount statistic for Plummer and the Broncos is cutting down on interceptions. Even though last year Plummer tied Hall of Famer John Elway for the team record with 27 touchdown passes and broke Elway’s team mark with 4,089 yards passing, Plummer threw 20 interceptions.
“It’s just the preseason, but things felt good,” Plummer said. “I felt great out there.”
After the Broncos exercised an option that triggers five more years on Plummer’s contract, the coaching staff spent the offseason with the quarterback working on cutting down mistakes.
While Plummer works best on the run and out of the pocket, many of his interceptions came when Plummer was frantically trying to make a play. Plummer said his offseason work has paid off, but he can’t promise perfection.
“I will make mistakes,” Plummer said. “The key is to try to cut them down and to make sure the interceptions don’t hurt the team.”
Shanahan has lauded Plummer for his leadership and execution during training camp and in the preseason.
“Jake is playing at a high level,” Shanahan said. “He’s made strides and is playing smart football.”
And Plummer has found a little extra incentive.
“If I do my job, Pat wins, too,” Plummer said. “That’s motivation.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
