The Oakland Raiders’ iconic center Jim Otto has passed away at the age of 86, according to an announcement made by the team on Sunday evening. The cause of his death was not revealed.
Known for his “00” jersey and impressive endurance, Otto was one of the original Raiders. He started playing with the team during its first season in the American Football League (AFL) in 1960 and continued until 1974. His record of 210 straight games is a testament to his dedication and toughness. Otto’s career spanned a significant era of the Raiders’ history, during which he earned nine First-Team All-AFL recognitions and three Pro Bowl selections following the AFL-NFL merger.
In a 2009 media interaction, Otto stated, “I’ve often looked at being a football player as being a gladiator. There’s an internal drive that compels you to prove your worth on the field. Injuries are part of the territory, but that’s your chosen path. Some find their challenges in sports like hockey or rugby, but for me, football was the ultimate test.”
Otto’s dedication to the sport was evident in his career performance and his resilience despite multiple injuries. Over his career, he endured more than 50 surgeries, including several knee operations, leading to the amputation of his right leg in 2007. Despite these obstacles, Otto remained active with the Raiders, even after their relocation to Las Vegas in 2020, serving as the team’s director of special projects.
Raiders Hall of Fame coach John Madden once praised Otto’s skills as a center, saying, “His skills as a center were just perfect. “He was the type of player who never wanted to leave practice, unlike most starters who would often say, ‘Let the backup take over.’”
Otto’s commitment and influence were widely acknowledged. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility. During his induction, the late Raiders owner Al Davis remarked, “Jim Otto exemplified a commitment to excellence, pride, and poise. For over a decade, he set the standard of excellence by which all professional football centers were measured.”
Even after his playing career, Otto continued to be an inspiration. He said in a 2013 interview, “I’m not someone who seeks pity. I’ll do whatever it takes to live, even fight if necessary. Since my leg amputation, I’ve accomplished much, including traveling to the Arctic Circle and visiting various places. I enjoy hunting.”
Otto’s influence reached beyond the football field. Raiders linebacker Phil Villapiano recalled in a 2022 interview, “I saw him bleed in every game. His helmet never seemed to fit right, smashing down on his nose. He’d be bleeding every game, and players on the other team would be shocked, wondering, ‘What is with this guy?!’”
Jim Otto is survived by his wife, Sally, son, Jim Jr., and 14 grandchildren. His legacy as an emblem of resilience and dedication continues to echo among Raiders fans and the wider football community.
