Former Broncos QB Jake Plummer helps give back to local military members through USAA’s Salute to Service Boot Camp
Jake “The Snake” Plummer recently teamed up with USAA to provide local military members with a fun day of competition.
Jake Plummer knows all too well what it’s like to compete at the highest level, so it makes sense he recently teamed up with USAA and the company’s Salute to Service Boot Camp.
The Salute to Service Boot Camp brings military veterans together for a chance to compete in certain NFL-style drills such as passing, the 40-yard dash, three-cone shuttle, broad jump, and receiving. Plummer, among others, hosted the event at Bronco’s Park in Englewood, Colorado and 50 local service members joined in on the fun.
“[I] feel honored and humbled to be out here with these soldiers, military personnel, to run them through a little bit about what we do here as you know football players,” Plummer recently told A to Z Sports. “(There’s a) big difference, you know. We like to (make) comparisons to going to war and battle, but [it’s] a little different when you’re carrying a gun and wearing full body armor than touching cones and running 40s.
“They had fun coming out here and getting out of their world and stepping into ours. … There were a lot of smiles, a lot of laughs as we threw them through some drills. … And there would be some sore bodies. There was a few guys talking about (how) their hammies were sore. I’m going to be sore. I was out there running around having a good time.
“So, all in all, it’s all for the the soldiers to to thank them, and for us to be appreciative of what they do, and for us to come out and just have a great time.”
The competition got pretty heated (in a good way) at one point, too, as expected. It only added to the excitement and was certainly something Plummer enjoyed witnessing, as well.
“They were getting after it, you know, but they they were having fun,” said Plummer. “They were in teams, so obviously you’re encouraging your team. There were some pretty fast guys out here and girls out here, and there were couple of the guys throwing the football. We had a 60-yard throw and a 58- and a 55-yard throw, which was pretty impressive because I cranked it out to about 50, and that’s all I could give them.
“There were some athletes for sure out here showing us what’s up. They had their cleats on, even a few with some some receiver gloves, so you know I didn’t hold back when I threw the ball at them. I knew they could handle it.”
Plummer is no stranger to this kind of work. He started The Jake Plummer Foundation back in 1999, which “supports the health and well-being of all humans at every stage of life”, per the foundation’s website.
He also hosts the yearly Snake Pit Poker Tournament, a Care Fund charity that aims “to financially and resourcefully support Arizona families who endure financial hardship while experiencing extended illness or injury of their children. The Care Fund provides mortgage and rent support during a child’s extended health crisis.”
In all, it’s always great to see NFL players give back to the community in any form or fashion and I’m sure the local servicemen and women will remember the day they spent with Plummer for the rest of their lives.
