Jim Otto, long-time Raiders center and Hall of Famer, dies at 86

Long time Las Vegas Raiders center and Hall of Fame Jim Otto died on Sunday (May 19) at age 86, announced the team. Otto played 15 seasons with the Raiders and was one of the last few players to wear the iconic 00 jersey. He was picked by the Raiders in the then AFL draft and played with them till 1974.

“‘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,” read the Raiders' statement.

Also Read: 'Built up frustration...,' Ricky Stenhouse Jr on punching Kyle Busch after NASCAR All-Star Race

"Beyond the gridiron, Jim was a successful businessman and remained an important part of the Raiders organization, serving as a team executive and providing a perpetual presence at games and events. Jim was a man whose words and actions epitomized the motto Commitment to Excellence," it further added.

Otto, known fondly as the Original Raider and Mr. Raider, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980 - his first year of eligibility.

Otto didn't miss a single game in his 15-year-long career and featured in straight 210 games. His 140 games came in AFL (modern day AFC) and the rest with NFL after the former was shut and merged to make a single entity.

"I've often looked at being a football player as being a gladiator," Otto told Bleacher Report in 2009, via ESPN. "There's something inside of you that says, 'I want to go out there and prove my worth.' Most of the time you're going to get injuries. That's the life you choose. Some people need a challenge in life and they play hockey or rugby. Football was the way I could prove myself."

He won the AFL title or AFC Championship game of today's day with the Raiders in 1967.