Raiders Legendary Hall Of Fame Center Jim Otto Passes Away At 86

The Las Vegas Raiders on Monday confirmed the passing of legendary center Jim Otto at the age of 86 years old. The cause of death is not known at this time.

Known as ‘The Original Raider’ Otto joined the franchise in its inaugural season of 1960 and would go on to start in 210 consecutive games until retiring in 1975.

“The Raiders Family is in deep mourning following the passing of Jim Otto…The Original Raider,” the Raiders said in a statement released. “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.”

Always recognizable with his ’00’ jersey, Otto took the very first snap in Raiders franchise history when the team was in the AFL. He was a 12-time AFL Pro Bowl selection and a 10-time All-Pro who was also a part of the franchise’s first AFL Title in 1967 and an appearance in Super Bowl II. Otto was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 with late, great Raiders owner Al Davis inducting him.

“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,” Davis said in Otto’s enshrinement.

Otto remained connected with the Raiders after retiring, becoming an executive within the organization, and was regularly seen at games, even with the team changing locations. Otto was even one of many Raiders legends in the locker room following the team’s season-ending victory over the Denver Broncos this past season.

Otto is survived by his wife Sally, his son Jim Jr. and wife Leah, and his 14 grandchildren – Alice, Sarah, Amy, Amanda, Josiah, Hannah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jennifer, Avery, Noah, Aiden, Roman and Ellie.

Raiders’ Maxx Crosby pays tribute to Jim Otto on social media

Of course, many gave their condolences to Otto and his family following the news of his passing. One of those is the current member of the Raiders who exemplifies everything Otto stood for in star defensive end Maxx Crosby.

The Raiders captain took to social media to pay his respects to Otto, calling the legendary Raider “an absolute legend & incredible person.”