Jim Otto, NFL Hall of Famer Known as 'Mr. Raider,' Dies at 86

Jim Otto, a legendary figure in American football, passed away on May 19, 2024, at the age of 86. Otto was an iconic center for the Oakland Raiders, renowned for his resilience and contributions to the team during his career in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He was one of only 20 players to play throughout the entire existence of the AFL and was named to the All-Time AFL Team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980

Despite suffering numerous injuries and undergoing nearly 74 surgeries, including 28 on his knee, Otto remained a beloved figure in football. His battles with severe arthritis and multiple joint replacements, which eventually led to the amputation of his right leg, were well-documented. Otto's dedication to the sport and his positive attitude, despite his physical struggles, were inspirational to many​ (Wikipedia)​.

He was believed to have undergone more than 50 operations, most because of football-related injuries. Those dealt with multiple joint replacements, arthritis, and debilitating back and neck problems. His right leg was amputated in 2007. Otto also had prostate cancer and two major infections after his career. I can take any type of surgery in the world except for when it comes to something that’s internal,he said.When it s cosmetic, fixing your nose, fixing your knee, fixing your elbows or whatever, that’s nothing.

Wearing his famous No. 00 jersey a play on his name, Aught-oh Otto played in nine AFL All-Star games and the first three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot.

Throughout my career, I worked hard to continue to stay a level above everyone else, Otto once said. Every day I walked on to the field, I was the best center. That’s the way I wanted to be. I continued to play at that level with those expectations. Otto was a key as the Raiders became one of the best organizations in professional football. The team won seven division titles in his final eight seasons and lost the Super Bowl to Green Bay following the 1967 season. He played his final seasons with fellow Hall of Famers offensive linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell. Those Raiders physically dominated their opponents. There was some intimidation,” he said. “Teams didn’t like to come to Oakland because of the fans and the football team. The Raiders also developed a reputation for partying as hard as they hit. Legend has it that players would show up just in time for bed check at 11 p.m., then head back out the door. No matter what happened the night before, they were all at practice the next morning, Otto said. Born Jan. 5, 1938, in Wausau, Wisconsin, Otto grew up in poverty, even living for a while in a chicken coop with his family. He left to play college football at the University of Miami, where he starred at center and linebacker. He went undrafted by the NFL in 1959, before signing with the Raiders of the new AFL the next year. He was one of only 20 players to play in the AFL for its entire 10 years. Otto most recently served as the team’s director of special projects. He organized reunions for former players and events for fans in the luxury boxes, and made public appearances for the team. He also played a key role in negotiating the team s move back to Oakland from Los Angeles before the 1995 season. The Raiders left the Bay Area for Las Vegas in 2020. Otto is survived by his wife Sally, his son Jim Jr. and daughter-in-law Leah, and his grandchildren Alice, Sarah, Amy, Amanda, Josiah, Hannah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jennifer, Avery, Noah, Aiden, Roman and Ellie.