Tributes pour in for the Original Raider, Jim Otto

The Las Vegas Raiders had a sad announcement to make on Sunday with the news that Jim Otto, one of the franchise’s longest serving players, has passed away.

A statement read: “The Raiders Family is in deep mourning following the passing of Jim Otto...The Original Raider. The personification of consistency, Jim’s influence on the American Football League and professional football as a whole cannot be overstated. His leadership and tenacity were a hallmark of the dominant Raider teams of the 1960s and 70s, and his ferocious work ethic and talent enabled him to start a remarkable 210 consecutive league games for the Oakland Raiders.

“Considered undersized when coming out of the University of Miami, Jim handled the first snap in franchise history and went on to be selected as the AFL’s All-Star center for the entirety of the league’s existence. One of only 20 players to play in every season of the American Football League, he was named the starting center on the AFL All-Time Team and was selected to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Team in 2019. Jim was known to many as “Mr. Raider,” and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility.

“‘00′ was the foundational piece of a transcendent offensive line that not only propelled the Raiders to success on the field but resonated with fans and helped build the Raiders persona and mystique.

“Beyond the gridiron, Jim was a successful businessman and remained an important part of the Raiders organization, serving as a team executive and providing a perpetual presence at games and events. Jim was a man whose words and actions epitomized the motto, “Commitment to Excellence.”

Born and raised in Wausau, Wisconsin, Otto was unable to break into any NFL team after graduating from the University of Miami. Minneapolis selected him in the 24th round of the AFL Draft, but by a twist of fate he ended up in Oakland. In January 1960, Minneapolis reneged on its agreement with the AFL, then was awarded the NFL’s 14th franchise, to debut in 1961. Otto’s draft rights landed with Oakland.

The Raiders made their NFL debut in September 1960 with Otto assigned the number 50 jersey, switching to his iconic 00 the following year. It was the start of a 15-year career in which he was one of the most reliable players on the roster. Otto started 210 consecutive regular-season games for the the Silver and Blacks - 223 including the playoffs, and was a Pro Bowler 12 times, a first-team All-Pro selection 10 times and selected for the 1970 All-Time Team. He was one of only three players who played in all 140 AFL regular-season games, along with George Blanda and Gino Cappelletti - all three were members of The Originals: a select group of 19 players who played in all ten seasons of the AFL.

His later career was blighted by injuries - he underwent 74 operations, 28 of them on his knee, which took their toll on his joints. He retired following the 1974 season, playing his final game in the AFC Championship final which the Raiders lost 24-13 to the Steelers. During his career, the Silver and Blacks won won seven division titles and were crowned AFL champions in 1967, only to lose Super Bowl II 33-14 to the Green Bay Packers in January 1968.

Otto is survived by his wife Sally, his son, Jim, his daughter-in-law, Leah and his 14 grandchildren.