Jim Otto facts for kids
Otto with the Raiders
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| No. 50, 00 | |||||||
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| Position: | Center | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | January 5, 1938 Wausau, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| Died: | May 19, 2024 (aged 86) | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Wausau | ||||||
| College: | Miami (FL) | ||||||
| AFL draft: | 1960 / Round: Regular draft | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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James "Jim" Edwin Otto (born January 5, 1938 – died May 19, 2024) was an amazing American football player. He played as a center for 15 seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He was part of both the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). Before turning pro, he played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.
Jim Otto was a true legend of the game. He was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, which was the very first year he could be picked! He was also named to the special AFL All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. These honors show how important he was in football history.
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Early Life and College Football
Jim Otto was born and grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin. He played football at Wausau High School. After high school, he went to the University of Miami in south Florida. There, he played as an offensive center. He also played as a linebacker on defense, showing how versatile he was.
In 1972, Jim Otto was honored by being added to the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. This recognized his great college career.
Playing for the Raiders
When Jim Otto was ready to play professional football, no National Football League (NFL) teams were very interested in him. He was considered a bit too small for a center back then. However, a new league called the American Football League (AFL) was starting up. Otto was drafted by a team that was supposed to be in Minneapolis. But when that team decided to join the NFL instead, Jim Otto's rights went to the Oakland Raiders.
He quickly signed with the Raiders. He played for them for all ten years the AFL existed and then for five more years after the AFL joined with the NFL. In his first year, 1960, he wore jersey number 50. But the next season, he switched to his famous number 00. An equipment manager suggested it for "recognition," and the AFL Commissioner agreed! Jim worked hard to get his body strong, reaching a playing weight of 255 pounds.
A Fixture at Center
For 15 years, Jim Otto was a constant presence at center for the Raiders. He never missed a single game because of an injury! He played in an amazing 210 games in a row. He won one AFL championship in 1967 with the Raiders. They beat the Houston Oilers that year.
However, he also played in five championship games that the Raiders lost. These losses were to the New York Jets (1968), Kansas City Chiefs (1969), Baltimore Colts (1970), Miami Dolphins (1973), and Pittsburgh Steelers (1974). Interestingly, all five of those teams went on to win the Super Bowl that year!
From 1967 to 1974, Jim Otto played alongside Gene Upshaw, who was also a Hall of Famer, at left guard. In 1974, his final year, the Oakland Raiders scored the most points in the NFL. They beat the Dolphins in the playoffs but lost to the Steelers. Jim Otto was the very last player from the Oakland Raiders' first team in 1960 to retire.
All-Star Player
Jim Otto was one of only twenty players who played for the entire ten years the American Football League existed. He was also one of only three players who played in every single game for their team in the AFL. He was chosen as the The Sporting News All-League center every year from 1960 through 1969.
He was an All-Star in 13 of his 15 seasons! This included every year in the AFL (1960-1969) and three of his five seasons in the NFL. He was also named the starting center on the special American Football League All-Time Team.
In 1980, Jim Otto was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. This is a huge honor for football players. In 1999, he was ranked number 78 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. In 2019, he was chosen for the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Life After Football
Playing professional football was very tough on Jim Otto's body. He had many operations after his career ended. He had many surgeries on his knee and multiple joint replacements. His joints developed arthritis, and he had problems with his back and neck.
Despite these challenges, Jim Otto often said he had no regrets about his football career. He felt it was all worth it. He passed away on May 19, 2024, at the age of 86.
See also
- Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
- List of most consecutive starts by National Football League players
