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 on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.
Honoring this year’s theme of "Spirit of Competition," the 2-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.
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 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.
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.
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.
