Posted on 05/19/2024 9:39:43 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Jim Otto, a Pro Football Hall of Famer center whose iconic No. 00 jersey anchored the middle of the Oakland Raiders' offensive line for 15 seasons, has died at the age of 86.
The Raiders, who moved from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020, announced his death Sunday night, calling him "The Original Raider." The cause of death was not immediately known.
To say that Otto was the dominant center of his era -- some would argue any era -- would be an understatement. From the time he first crouched over the ball in the Raiders' first game in the new AFL in 1960, no one else would start at center for Oakland until Otto retired after the 1974 season. "I had always done my best for the Raiders playing center, and it was a very good feeling to know I had accomplished that," Otto told ESPN in 2019.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
Great American.
Rest In Peace, Jim.
One of the good guys, way, way back when I actually watched and enjoyed the NFL.
great lineman. very tough, intelligent, and dedicated. most people who never played don’t know that great centers like Jim Otto are responsible for calling the blocking for an offensive line based on what the defense is doing—that in addition to all their individual responsibilites. really like watching him do his thing when i was coming up in football. RIP.
Does that mean his football card will increase in value?
I saw him in Costco several years ago in Roseville, CA. Grew up watching him play.
Think I remember him saying that it took him a few hours to get out of bed...and that he had no cartilage left in his knees...what a medical mess...super tough guy
......
Jim Otto played for many years past his time and the injuries he took were not only painful, but disabling.
I met him at one of his fast food retaurants years ago when I was stationed in northern California in the 1980’s. He was riddled with arthritis and mostly wheelchair bound. Nice guy and a great football player.
wy69
RIP, Mr. Otto...
86!
Dang! Has that much time passed???? Seems like his playing days were not that long ago...
The only player to wear 00 in football! Prayers to his family and RIP, Jim.
Don’t forget Ken Burroughs from the Oilers had 00.
He owned the Sizzler restaurant in Auburn, Calif. Ate there many times.
IIRC—EVERY BONE IN HIS BODY HAD BEEN BROKEN AT LEAST ONCE.
Ouch!!!!!
When it still was a game.
I did forget that he had 00, also...
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