Former Oakland Raiders center Jim Otto, known as one of pro football’s legendary ironmen, passed away at the age of 86. He wore the iconic No. 00 jersey and played 15 seasons with the Raiders from 1960 to 1974, earning 12 Pro Bowl selections during his Hall of Fame career.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 20, 2024
Jim Otto’s relentless determination established him as one of the iconic figures of the Raiders franchise, starting from its inception in the AFL to their appearance in Super Bowl 2 and through the AFL-NFL merger.
Remarkably, Otto never missed a game, making 210 consecutive regular-season starts and participating in 13 playoff games during that period.
In announcing his death on social media Sunday, the team hailed Otto as “Mr. Raider.”
“Commitment to excellence, pride and poise, the greatness of our football team were not only exemplified by Jim Otto, but for more than a decade he was the standard of excellence by which centers were judged in professional football,” late Raiders owner Al Davis said at Otto’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1980.
Jim Otto was not only a first-ballot Hall of Famer but also earned a spot on the NFL 100 all-time team in 2019. However, his remarkable longevity in the physically demanding environment of the NFL took a toll on his health.
He endured 74 surgeries and suffered over 20 concussions during his career. In his later years, Otto faced severe health challenges, including having his right leg amputated above the knee due to life-threatening infections.
Despite retiring from playing, he continued his association with the Raiders organization, holding various roles, including the position of director of special projects.
