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Sad News: AFL and NFL Legend Jim Otto’s Death Stuns Las Vegas – Raiders Nation Mourns the Loss of a True Football Icon
The great Jim Otto passed away very early on Sunday morning, leaving the world without an AFL and NFL hero, American Icon, and Raiders icon. He was born on January 5, 1938, and died on May 19, 2024.
He was eighty-six. Although Otto was regarded as one of the finest and most iconic football players of all time, his greatest values were his faith in Jesus Christ, his wife Sally, and his son Jimmy Jr. Otto told me about being a Raider in one of his final interviews, saying, “To me, it was hit or be hit, and be the best that you can be.” I’ve always aspired to be that.
Of course, I also aspired to be a fantastic football player. It was something about which I could always think back to my high school coach, who would tell me, ‘Otto, don’t let them beat you; you have to go and defeat them,’ and I did.” Otto also shared with me some of his best playing memories: “It is difficult since I played for a long time and so many things come to me that make me think about playing injured.
They bring back memories of amazing games in which we prevailed despite my injuries when I left the field. Those are wins. Always the victor, Otto was adored by both regular fans and Hollywood celebrities. The man was revered by Raider Nation and was loved by football fans worldwide, regardless of their team.
Ronald Reagan was one of the politicians that admired Otto. He was particularly close to President Gerald Ford, Senator Jack Kemp, a past presidential contender, and quarterback for the Buffalo Bills.
Otto, who is regarded as one of the hardest players to have ever played the game, told me, “I realized I could follow Jesus Christ when I saw his toughness, showing love to a sinner like me who didn’t deserve it.” In my life, that was the most significant event.”
Jimmy Jr., Ott’o’s son, is a pastor presently serving in Driggs, Idaho’s Teton Valley. Even though Jimmy did not play football as well as his father did, Jimmy dedicates his life to sharing with others the legend of the “Toughest man (Jesus Christ)”—the greatest football player of all time. This is more significant to Otto than anything else.
Ott’s bio, according to the Raiders, is perfection embodied.
August 2, 1980, saw the induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame…The American Football League’s sole All-League center from 1960 to 1969.Selected for the AFL All-Star Team of the Decade Hall of Fame…recognized for three additional seasons, 1970–72, as the center of the All-American Football Conference…210 league games in a row were started, the most in Raiders history…Including all-star, postseason, and preseason contests, he participated in 308 Raider games.What remains of the original Raiders?took part in the first three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls and nine AFL All-Star Games…The Raiders won seven division titles and the AFL Championship in 1967 during his 15-year tenure.
1967…the Gorman Award winner twice (1968 and 1971) in the category of “Player Who Best Exemplifies the Pride and Spirit of the Oakland Raiders”…chosen for the 25-year AFL-NFL All-Star Team…Inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame for the third time…elected in his first year of eligibility to the Hall of Fame…1995 saw a return to the Raiders front office for special assignments.
