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A Tribute to JIM OTTOThere was one constant, one center, one captain, one Original Raider… his name was Jim Otto, his number 00… for more than a full decade, and he was the standard of excellence by which centers were judged in professional football. He was the most honored offensive lineman in the history of pro football… While the word company man has a bad and good connotation, Jim was an organization man. He played football for the organization. He wanted to win for the organization. Plain, old-fashioned wholesomeness was not passé. He was a coaches dream. The enshrinement of Jim Otto is like a reaffirmation of the values and virtues of what is still the American way of life… Al Davis, presenting Jim Otto at his Pro For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, "plans for greatness and not for evil to give you a future and a hope, "You will seek Me and find Me when search for Me with all your heart… January 5,1938 Almighty God, Jeremiah 29:11-13 As we turn the pages of history and review the greatness of the men that played the great game of Football in the old days of the American Football League and the National Football League as we know it today. We find ourselves viewing sports as a reflection of society, the mind-set of the gladiators on the grid Iron over the generations has changed dramatically, today it's all about the money no different than the way the world perceives ones achievements by the amount of one's bank account, "Yes, there's the glamour of being in the spot light which can sometimes lead to self-destruction the stories are countless of the misuse of reasonability, the values and virtues of today's players pale compared to the old-timers of the past.
The field of dream's that would come from Wausau, Wisconsin, Jim Otto #00 who would later head into Pro Footballs Hall of Fame, The greatest center who ever played the game. The Iron man, How does one pay tribute to a man of many accomplishment's, from a biblical perspective? Certainly one must reflect on the Holy Bible of the many passage's of the accounts of the many immovable personality's that where called by Almighty God! Jim's, faith in God carried him in life's journeys like most American families throughout this country in a time that now seems to be so distant a moment in time when life seemed to be innocent and wholesome hardworking the fabric of this countries faith in Almighty God, the blueprint that would build the character of the young man, Born James Edwin Emile Otto on January 5,1938 as we reflect on Jim Otto's accomplishments one can turn to the page's of history in the National Football League and be amazed of the journey that has led him to Canton, Ohio. Pro football's final destination where the field of dreams is documented forever, "The Hall of Fame! the accolades are many, on the same hand it became costly the physical punishment that Jim endured, the blood, sweat and pain that the grid Iron brought forth, the countless injuries along the many surgeries. Many would question the Lord, on Jim's calling to greatness and not for evil to give him a future and a hope? "Why! has Jim suffered so much with injuries and losing his daughter early in life. When a person steps onto that field of dreams, whether it's the games people play, or the game of life in Christ, there's no turning back one becomes unwavering with one's commitment to achieve the excellence's of their call in life, it develops into a desire that's unexplainable, ones eye's become fixed on the finish line. Jim Otto, Testifies- of his God given passion, Having had a gladiator's mentality has given me the resolve to survive. Remember, I'm from an era when NFL gladiators weren't paid well. But there wasn't ever any question about our commitment to duty. Sally and I are very spiritual. We believe God is keeping me around because He has a plan for me.. I'm a benevolent person at heart, and I love to help others. God must want me here on Earth for that purpose. Before some of my recent surgeries, prayer chains were set up around the country. We did the same thing for Carol Davis, Al's wife, when she was tremendously ill. The Davis family is of the Jewish faith, but prayer chains aren't restricted to certain denominations. They cross all religious boundaries. The Lords plan for #00 can be seen in his autobiography JIM OTTO The Pain of Glory, sportspublishinginc.com, or one can pick up a copy at your local Raider Image store. The passion of brotherhood in his journey in life's calling along with the blessing of playing the great game of football and His love for God and family, it's the wholesome plans that the Lord declared to be a testimony and a blessing in His Word in translating the greatness of being passionate in the many seasons that life brings forth. The values and virtues of a spiritual tribute are revealed in the character that the Lord anticipated in… JIM OTTO To my daughter, Jennifer, because of her great love for God, her family, her children, and to all people… Jim Otto, In thanksgiving to the Lord "My parents had high moral standards, and I respect that. They were tremendous providers. Things we not only needed, but wanted, like shoes for every sport. Mom is very personal, very generous; she likes to give. My dad has a big heart; he loves children. There was a definite emphasis on family and home. We weren't in a celebrity home, where they were gone all the time, and my sister and I were raised by a nanny. When my dad left the Raiders to raise walnuts, that was for us. Sometimes my parent's expectations were too high. I rebelled for a while in college. But they always gave me the opportunity to choose my own path. And I respect that." -Jimmy Otto, Son of Jim and Sally Otto
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