PHOENIX — Former NFL and Arizona State University quarterback Jake Plummer and former NBA and University of Arizona player Richard Jefferson will be the Grand Marshals in the annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The parade is recognized as the state’s highest-attended single day event and features more than 3,000 participants, “larger-than-life” balloons, marching bands and floats.
This year’s theme, Spirit of Competition, fits the two Grand Marshals well, Fiesta Bowl Executive Director and CEO Erik Moses said in a press release.
“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," Moses said. “Jake and Richard's historical performances helped put their schools in the national spotlight as they were triumphant in a strong field of competition."
Plummer is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame – as a Sun Devil, he led the team to an undefeated regular season, Pac-10 championship and berth in the Rose Bowl during his senior year. He also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, which is the best finish in ASU football program history.
In the NFL, Plummer was selected in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. In his second season, Plummer started in all 16 games and led the team to their first postseason victory since 1947. Plummer also played for the Denver Broncos and wrapped up his NFL career with 29,253 yards, 161 passing touchdowns, all while starting 136 games throughout 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 in a news release. "I am excited to help continue to cultivate the Spirit of Competition in this year's Fiesta Bowl Parade festivities. See you out there!"
Jefferson is a Phoenix native who started his basketball journey at Moon Valley High School. From there, he went on to earn All-Final Four recognition during University of Arizona’s run at the 2001 National Championship game. He is a member of the Arizona Ring of Honor and the Pac-12 Hall of Honor.
Between playing for the Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jefferson enjoyed a 17-year NBA career that included an NBA championship and runs at the finals, too. Jefferson has been an ESPN NBA analyst since 2019.
"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 join a long list of previous parade Grand Marshals including Al McCoy, Alice Cooper, Charles Barkley, Jerry Colangelo, Randy Johnson, Cal Ripken Jr. and more.
The parade will be broadcast live on Arizona’s Family 3TV as well as digitally on platforms across the state. The parade is free to attend in person and reserved, premium seating is available to purchase for $30.
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