86-year-old Jim Otto, an NFL Hall of Famer dubbed “Mr. Raider,” passes away
The legendary Mr. Jim Otto, revered as the heart of the Hall of Fame center known as “Mister,” has passed away, despite showcasing remarkable resilience even through numerous injuries. “The team officially announced his passing on Sunday evening, confirming that he was eighty-six years old.”
It’s still unclear what caused the death right away.
In a statement posted on the social platform X, the club said, “The Original Raider.” His leadership and steadfastness were the hallmark of the prominent Raider teams of the 1960s and 70s.
Even after relocating to Las Vegas in 2020, Otto remained connected with the Raider Nation. He was among many former players of the club who were in the locker room after the Raiders’ 27-14 season-ending victory over the Denver Broncos in January.
Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive tackle Maxx Crosby posted on X that Otto was a “complete gentleman and an unbelievable person.”
Otto joined the Raiders in the inaugural season of the American Football League in 1960 and remained with the team for the next 15 years. He never missed a game due to injury, playing in 210 consecutive regular-season games and participating in 308 total competitions despite undergoing nine knee operations during his playing career. “He’s a warrior,” former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon once said. “When you think about the old-time, tough Raiders, you think about Jim Otto.”
Otto was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and is considered one of the greatest players in AFL history. “It’s widely rumored that he endured more than 50 surgical procedures, primarily stemming from injuries sustained during his football career. His medical history includes numerous joint replacements, battles with arthritis, and struggles with spinal and neck complications.” “In 2007, his right leg underwent amputation surgery.”
After his playing career, Otto battled prostate cancer and two major infections.
“He expressed his willingness to explore any conceivable surgical option, with the exception of procedures affecting internal organs or systems. Whether it’s refining his nose’s shape, repairing a knee injury, or…”elbow issues, or any other external fixes, I’m completely on board.”
Wearing his iconic number 00 jersey – immortalized in a play, “August-Oh” – Otto played in nine AFL All-Star Games and the first three AFL-NFL Pro Bowls before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
“Throughout my entire career, I worked hard to stay one level above everyone else,” Otto once said “Each day, stepping onto the field, I embodied excellence as the premier center, steadfast in my commitment to maintaining that standard.”I continued to perform at that calibre and with those demands.”
Otto played a significant role in the professional football league triumph of the Raiders. The team won seven division titles in their final eight seasons and lost the Super Bowl to Green Bay after the 1967 season.
He played his final season alongside fellow Hall of Famers Gene Upshaw and Art Shell. They dominated physically over their opponents.
“There was an attempt to intimidate,” he said Opposing teams dreaded their visits to Oakland, intimidated both by the raucous fans and the relentless intensity of the Raiders on the field, who were renowned for their unwavering commitment to victory, matched only by their legendary off-field celebrations.
It’s legend that players would report for bed check promptly at 11 p.m. and then head out the door again.
“Regardless of the events of the preceding night, Otto affirmed that everyone faithfully attended practice the following morning.”
Born on January 5, 1938, in Wausau, Wisconsin, Otto grew up in poverty, even living in a chicken coop with his family for a time. At the University of Miami, where he played linebacker and centre, he gave up collegiate football.
Before signing with the newly formed AFL’s Raiders the following year, he was undrafted by the NFL in 1959. He was one of only 20 players to play in the AFL for its entire 10-year existence.
Otto recently served as the team’s director of special projects.In order to improve the team’s public relations, he planned fan gatherings and reunions for past players in opulent boxes.
He played a crucial role in negotiations to bring the team back from Los Angeles to Oakland before the 1995 season. The Raiders left Oakland again in 2020 for Las Vegas.
Otto is survived by his wife, Sally, his son, Jim Jr., and daughter-in-law, Leah, and 14 grandchildren – Alice, Sarah, Amy, Amanda, Joshua, Hannah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jennifer, Avery, Noah, Eden, Roman, and Eli.
NBC News:https://www.nbcnews.com/