Plummer deserves thanks

Dear Jake Plummer,

Farewell and thank you for four seasons with the Broncos. Thank you for your 40-15 record as a Bronco starter. You even hold the single-season record for passing yards, at 4,089, more yards than even our beloved John Elway.

Thank you for being your own person and showing us that football is just a game. I thank you most for not allowing football to define you as a person but rather letting your life be defined by your acts of generosity, such as the work that your foundation does for sick and abused children. You are more than a football player, you are a humanitarian.

Michael Herrera, Broomfield

Jake, enjoy your retirement

I would like to congratulate you, Jake, on your retirement. Thank you for being a down-to-earth person who did more for others than you did for yourself, stood for your beliefs and gave the Denver Broncos and their fans 100 percent every single day. I lived in Tempe, Ariz., and was there to watch you beat Nebraska 19-0 and when you beat Cal to win the Pac-10. You brought an excitement to Tempe they hadn't seen in some time.

After years of mediocrity and no playoffs, you brought that excitement here to Denver as well. We're going to miss you, Jake. We're going to miss you a lot. Best of luck to you. Go enjoy your life.

Robert Reinhardt, Denver

Shame on Shanahan

We all kept quiet while Mike Shanahan traded our top rusher four years in a row. The team didn't improve, but we hoped Shanahan knew what he was doing. Now, in the middle of free-agent signing, he throws players around like unwanted trash.

Jake Plummer is tougher than a 50-cent steak and always gave his all. He would put his team's welfare before his own every week. After being benched, he kept his mouth shut and still went out and did his job as best he could. How is he being repaid for his efforts? Shanahan trades him to that cuckoo's nest in Tampa for an at-best late-fourth- round draft pick rather than releasing him. Plummer could have played his options and signed with a team whose needs best fit his abilities. Shanahan gave Bubby Brister and Gus Frerotte that chance!

I guess no good deed goes unpunished. Plummer must have kicked Mike's dog or something. The Broncos are going to pay for Shanahan's deeds while trying to sign a quality backup quarterback this season. The Broncos aren't held in as high esteem as before.

Don Dunbar, Fort Collins