Checkered Flag Jim Otto Hall of Fame Raiders Center

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James Edwin Otto January 5, 1938 – May 19, 2024

Jim Otto Hall of Fame Raiders Center

Jim was that constant, an all-star at center and the epitome of a great teammate. Otto, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, has died at the age of 86, the team confirmed Sunday.

"The Raiders Family is in deep mourning following the passing of Jim Otto...The Original Raider," the club said in a statement.

Otto was an original Raider. He played for the team during its American Football League days, from 1960 to 1969, and then in the National Football League from 1970-74, following the merger of the two leagues. He started 210 consecutive games, was voted to the A.F.L. all-star team in each of its 10 seasons, and helped the Raiders win seven division championships.

In 1980, the first year he was eligible, he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

John Madden, his former Raiders coach and later a famous football TV personality, called him an "iron man" in the film. But, he added, "An iron man pays for it later."


Al Davis, the Raiders' front-office leader and, for part of Otto's playing career, head coach, told Sport magazine in 1969: "I liken Jim to the players of years before when pride was everything. I get the feeling that this is still a dream to him, that the money and everything else is secondary."

Once a Raider, Always a Raider

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FACTOID :

Jim Otto was recruited to University of Miami Hurricanes by longtime Canes assistant coach Walt Kichefski, who was also from Wisconsin.

Jim Otto, Pete Banaszak, Dan Conners and Bill Miller where four former Hurricane players on the Raiders roster that played in Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl

After a 33-14 loss to Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.

Returning to the Super Bowl 9 years later 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI in Pasadena, California.