Jake Plummer and Richard Jefferson Named Grand Marshals for the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe
Arizona State University and University of Arizona Legends Honor Theme of Spirit of Competition
(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Oct. 18, 2023) – Former Arizona State University and NFL quarterback Jake Plummer and former Moon Valley High School, University of Arizona and NBA standout Richard Jefferson will be honored as grand marshals for the 51st Annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe on Saturday, December 16, at 10 a.m.
Honoring this year’s theme of Spirit of Competition, the two-mile route in Central Phoenix will be led by perhaps the most-celebrated players in Sun Devils football and Wildcats basketball history, who both went on to long careers in the NFL and NBA. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe Grand Marshal honors an individual or group whose actions align with the Fiesta Bowl’s commitment to driving economic growth, championing charitable causes and executing innovative experiences.
“Much like the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a gold standard in Arizona for more than 50 years, Jake Plummer and Richard Jefferson are among the first names you think of in Arizona sports,” said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director and CEO Erik Moses. “Jake and Richard’s historical performances helped put their schools in the national spotlight as they were triumphant in a strong field of competition. We are so excited to welcome them into the Fiesta Bowl as Parade Grand Marshals to honor them with our fans.”
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Plummer guided one of the greatest Arizona State football teams during his senior season in 1996, leading the Sun Devils to an undefeated regular season, Pac-10 championship and berth in the Rose Bowl. Plummer finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting – the best finish by a Sun Devils player in program history – and concluded his career as Arizona State’s all-time leader in passing yards (8,827), touchdowns (65) and total offense (8,711).
The 2019 Arizona State Hall of Famer got his NFL career started in the state after being selected in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. In his second season, Plummer started all 16 games and led the Cardinals to the franchise’s first postseason victory since 1947.
After six seasons with the Cardinals, Plummer signed with the Denver Broncos where he reached the playoffs three times in four seasons, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game during the 2005 season after besting Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Plummer wrapped up his NFL career with 29,253 yards and 161 passing touchdowns while starting 136 games over 10 seasons.
“I’m honored to represent the great state of Arizona as a Grand Marshal for the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe. I came here in 1993 and was welcomed by the warmth from the community; that love and support continues today,” Plummer said. “I am excited to help continue to cultivate the Spirit of Competition in this year’s Fiesta Bowl Parade festivities. See you out there!”
A Phoenix native who starred at Moon Valley High School and has been an ESPN NBA analyst since 2019, Jefferson enjoyed a 17-year NBA career that included an NBA championship in 2016 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Drafted with the 13th overall pick in the 2001 Draft, Jefferson spent his first seven seasons with the Nets and reached his first two NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
In more than 1,100 regular season games, Jefferson averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists and won a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
At Arizona, Jefferson earned All-Final Four recognition during Arizona’s run to the 2001 National Championship game and ultimately averaged 11.2 points per game while starting 77 of 84 games as a Wildcat. Jefferson is a member of the Arizona Ring of Honor and the Pac-12 Hall of Honor.
“I’m so excited and honored to be a part of such a rich tradition that is the Fiesta Bowl and the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe,” Jefferson said. “As a kid, I went to the Fiesta Bowl with my family, and I look forward to bringing my family to this amazing Parade and to future Fiesta Bowl games.”
Plummer and Jefferson will join a long list of previous distinguished Parade Grand Marshals including Al McCoy, Alice Cooper, Charles Barkley, Jerry Colangelo, Randy Johnson, Cal Ripken, Jr. and more.
The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family 3TV and statewide across its digital platforms on Saturday, December 16. Admission is free to the public with premium and reserved seating available for purchase for $30 here.
“Growing up in Arizona and being a part of the Fiesta Bowl Organization for more than 20 years, I have experienced first-hand how the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe makes an impact within our community,” said Fiesta Bowl Board Chair Randal Norton. “Fans love lining the streets to enjoy the excitement, entertainment and the esteemed Grand Marshals. I vividly remember Jake and Richard playing their respective sports at the highest levels and bringing so much energy and notoriety to our Arizona universities. To honor them together as Grand Marshals is a testament to their accomplishments and is a big win for our community and those who come out to the Parade.”
Recognized as the state’s highest-attended single-day event annually, the Parade will feature larger-than-life balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, community groups and more. More than 3,000 men, women, children and animals participate annually in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe.
For more information regarding the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, please visit www.FiestaBowl.org/Parade.
ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.
ABOUT Vrbo
In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we’ve grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between. Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.
ABOUT LERNER & ROWE INJURY ATTORNEYS
Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country with 11 locations just in Arizona, over 60 total attorneys, and more than 450 total support staff. The law firm’s continuous exalted levels of success can be attributed to the high levels of respect and dignity shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident. Further, the firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct. Learn more about the firm and the many other community services they support at LernerAndRowe.com, LernerAndRoweGivesBack.com, and @LernerAndRowe on Instagram.
