“The commitment to excellence, pride, and composure that makes our football team so great is not only embodied by Jim Otto, but for over a decade he has been the standard of excellence by which centers are evaluated in professional football. “He was the most decorated offensive lineman in the history of pro football,” the late Raiders Hall of Fame owner Al Davis said when enshrining Otto in 1980. “But statistics are not just about accomplishments. It is a measure, not really a measure of man. If that is true, then its greatness is great.” Jim inspires the will to be great in others, and that alone qualifies Jim to be great. ”
A native of Wausau, Wisconsin, Otto was born on January 5, 1938. He then played college ball as a center and linebacker at the University of Miami. He was never a promising player, as evidenced by the fact that he went undrafted. Nevertheless, it was the beginning of a great underdog story, as the undrafted Otto would go on to become the NFL's all-time great.
Otto was originally scheduled to head to the new American Football League's Minnesota franchise, as his territorial draft rights were assigned to the club. When the Vikings contingent beat out the AFL to become an NFL franchise, a fortuitous trade meant that Otto's rights were forfeited to the Oakland Raiders, reinvigorating the sport's most storied franchise in its infancy. It was useful.
Otto was great from the start as he was named an AFL All-Star in his rookie season.
After that, Otto didn't change much other than his jersey number. He started his career as number 50, but after his first season he was forever noticed as number 00.
The man known as “Double-O” played 15 seasons with the Raiders.
He was named All-AFL 10 times and was named the league's top center every year since its inception. Just as he was a mainstay for the Raiders, Otto was no different in the AFL. He was one of only three players to appear in each of the team's AFL games, along with Blanda and wide receiver/kicker Gino Cappelletti.
In his first year, the Raiders went 6-8. By his fourth season they were winners and Otto and his mates would soon become a model of consistent success. Oakland has won seven district titles in Otto's 15 seasons, all of which came in his last eight years. Amazingly, during those eight seasons, Otto and Upshaw started every game, side by side with future Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers.
When his career ended, Otto never missed a match for any reason. His 210 starts are the first in franchise history, and his 10 first-team All-Pro honors are the most by an offensive lineman in NFL history.
Otto's toughness is legendary, but unfortunately the price his body paid was also legendary.
Otto has had nearly 70 surgeries and, in his autobiography, Jim Otto: Glorious Pain, he described multiple near-death experiences resulting from medical procedures. In 2007, Otto had his right leg amputated.
“Football is football,” Otto said in a 2009 interview with Bleacher Report. “It's like being a gladiator. You get in the ring and fight everyone and they turn their lions against you. I've often thought of being a football player as being a gladiator.
“There's something in your heart that says, 'I want to go out there and prove my worth.' Most of the time, getting hurt is your own choice. Some people need challenges in life. And they can prove themselves by playing hockey and rugby.”
Otto has proven time and time again throughout his career that he is the best in his position.
From 1960 to 1974, only one player started at center for the Raiders, and few players played the better position during that period or since.
