Jim Otto, affectionately known as 'Mr. Raider' and a celebrated Pro Football Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 86

Jim Otto, Hall of Fame Center Known as "Mr. Raider," Dies at 86

Jim Otto, the Hall of Fame center renowned as "Mr. Raider" for his remarkable durability through numerous injuries, has died at the age of 86, the team confirmed Sunday night. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

"The Original Raider," the team stated on the social platform X, "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."

Otto remained involved with the Raiders even after their relocation to Las Vegas in 2020. He was present in the locker room following the Raiders' 27-14 season-ending victory over the Denver Broncos in January.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby posted on X, calling Otto an "absolute legend & incredible person."

Otto joined the Raiders for their inaugural season in the American Football League in 1960 and remained a team fixture for the next 15 years. Despite undergoing nine operations on his knees, he never missed a game due to injuries, competing in 210 consecutive regular-season games and 308 straight total contests. His right leg was amputated in 2007.

"He's a warrior," former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon once said. "When you think of the old-time, tough Raider, you think of Jim Otto."

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, Otto is considered one of the AFL's all-time greats. Hall of Fame President Jim Porter noted, "Jim Otto personified the aura and mystique of the Raiders. He was 'The Original Raider,' leading a new franchise from its inception into its first run of glory years from the late 1960s into the 1970s. His legendary reliability — with 210 consecutive starts in the AFL and NFL — and the accolades he acquired serve as a testament to his dedication to the organization and the game."

Otto reportedly underwent more than 50 operations, many due to football-related injuries, including multiple joint replacements and treatments for arthritis and debilitating back and neck problems. He also battled prostate cancer and two major infections after his career.

"I can take any type of surgery in the world except for when it comes to something that's internal," Otto once remarked. "When it's cosmetic, fixing your nose, fixing your knee, fixing your elbows or whatever, that's nothing."

Wearing his iconic No. 00 jersey — a play on his name, "Aught-oh" — Otto played in nine AFL All-Star games and the first three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot.

"Throughout my career, I worked hard to continue to stay a level above everyone else," Otto once said. "Every day I walked onto the field, I was the best center. That's the way I wanted to be. I continued to play at that level with those expectations."

Otto was pivotal as the Raiders became one of the top organizations in professional football, winning seven division titles in his final eight seasons and competing in Super Bowl II.

In his final seasons, Otto played alongside fellow Hall of Famers Gene Upshaw and Art Shell, contributing to the Raiders' reputation for physical dominance.

"There was some intimidation," he said. "Teams didn't like to come to Oakland because of the fans and the football team."

The Raiders also developed a reputation for partying hard, with players reportedly showing up just in time for bed check at 11 p.m. before heading back out the door. "No matter what happened the night before, they were all at practice the next morning," Otto said.

Born on January 5, 1938, in Wausau, Wisconsin, Otto grew up in poverty, even living in a chicken coop with his family for a time. He played college football at the University of Miami, excelling as a center and linebacker before joining the Raiders in 1960.

Otto most recently served as the team's director of special projects, organizing reunions for former players, events for fans, and public appearances. He also played a key role in negotiating the team's move back to Oakland from Los Angeles before the 1995 season.

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