Hall of Fame center Jim Otto dies at age 86

Jim Otto (X)

According to Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports on Monday, former Oakland Raiders center and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Otto of Wausau, Wisconsin passed away at the age of 86. No cause of death was given.

Otto was a center for the Raiders for 15 seasons from 1960 to 1974. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for a dozen straight years from 1961 to 1972.

During Otto’s career he had three fumble recoveries for -22 yards. Then in the postseason, Otto had one catch for five yards. It came in the American Football Conference Divisional Round, a 13-7 Raiders loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 23, 1972.

Otto was one of two Pro Football Hall of Famers this month who played their entire National Football League career in the Bay Area and passed away at the age of 86. The other was San Francisco 49ers defensive back and halfback Jimmy Johnson of Dallas, Texas, who died on May 8.

Nicknamed Double O and Mr. Raider, Otto was initially selected by the Minnesota franchise of the American Football League in the 1960 draft. However, Minnesota withdrew their application for the AFL in 1960 and joined the National Football League in 1961.

Otto also played his college football at the University of Miami. While with the Hurricanes, he played offense and defense. In addition to playing center, he also played linebacker. For his excellence in south Florida, Otto was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1972.

Known for his injuries, Otto had 74 operations in his career. Among them were 28 on his knee.

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