The NFL world is in mourning on Monday after news of the passing of Oakland Raiders legend and Hall of Famer, Jim Otto, who died at the age of 86, the team confirmed on Sunday evening.
Otto spent 15 seasons in professional football — all with the Raiders — and never missed a single game. The former center was a nine-time AFL All-Star three-time NFL Pro Bowler and 10-time first-team All-Pro. He was a member of the AFL Championship-winning Raiders in 1967.
"Mr. Raider" was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 in what was his first year of eligibility. He was ranked No. 76 on Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players and was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.
The Raiders released a statement on his passing on Sunday night:
The Raiders family is in deep mourning following the passing of Jim Otto. The Original Raider. 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. Considered undersized when coming out of the University of Miami, Jim handled the first snap in franchise history and went on to be selected as the AFL's All-Star center for the entirety of the league's existence. One of only 20 players to play in every season of the American Football League, he was named the starting center on the AL All-Time Team and was selected to the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team in 2019. Jim was known to many as "Mr. Raider," and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility.
'00' was the foundational piece of a transcendent offensive line that not only propelled the Raiders to success on the field but resonated with fans and helped build the Raiders persona and mystique.
Here's a look at the reaction on social media:
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 20, 2024
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 20, 2024
Jim Otto is the Raiders.
— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) May 20, 2024
The Autumn Wind…🎺 pic.twitter.com/Kmj4Uun0CM
Rip Jim Otto. Absolute Legend & Incredible Person. 🙏🏼🏴☠️
— 🦅MaddMaxx🦅 (@CrosbyMaxx) May 20, 2024
RIP to a Raiders legend, Mr. Jim Otto.
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) May 20, 2024
Otto's resume is unmatched. He embodied the Silver and Black as much as anyone—we offer condolences to his loved ones.
His accolades as we bid him farewell:
🪙Pro Football Hall of Famer
🏈16x Pro Bowler
🎖️10x All-Pro
🏴☠️210 career starts pic.twitter.com/Oy9nl1qalj
The story of the Raiders can’t be told without Jim Otto. The undersized Otto pushed and led the franchise by example, leaving a trail of sweat and tears. He started 210 straight games at center and the Raiders won 7 divisional championships and an AFL title.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) May 20, 2024
RIP to a class act. https://t.co/n94TEISLHP