Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. I don't want anybody to be hurt from football. And I think if you were to evaluate Mike Webster, it was a matter of pride. I was hitting him with such force, and he was coming at me with such force that this is what happened. And that's what I'm doing. How much did Jim Otto weigh when playing? He was not a great linebacker. You're taught to lead with your head. Is Jim Otto in the Hall of Fame? It's a tough sport. And with your head traumas, with the head injuries, tell me about one in particular. Or what about if you had amnesia for two days? He rushed for over 100 yards, caught several passes, and helped the Cowboys continue their path to the Super Bowl. I don't want to make an excuse. "I'm not out there crying" over concussions, "I would walk off the field and my eyes would be crossed", "Hitting harder than anyone else was very important to us.". I don't make want to make excuses. He takes his thumb in his hand and wrenches it down into his fist. When you looked at your wife and you didn't know who she was, like, who's this chick? I don't know what other players are thinking. 15. Five years later, in 2002, Otto was stricken with prostate cancer, though the cancer is currently in remission. Ten years of lawsuits against the 49ers left him with a $1 million settlement in 1989 and plenty of bitterness. Perhaps the most painful of Jim Ottos 23 surgeries occurred five years ago. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. And that is something that I'm dealing with. George Trafton, Center, Chicago Bears (1920-1921, 1923-1932). He ended the career of MVP quarterback Joe Theismann with a compound leg fracture in a Monday Night game in 1985. I wanted to help Dave Dalby and Sally did to because we loved him and I didn't see that happening in Pittsburgh with Mike Webster. It was a matter of pride in the way we did things. Butkus's opponents claimed that Butkus was like an odor that you could feel or sense on the field. WebAs a result of injuries sustained during his playing career, he has endured more than 70 surgeries, including nearly 30 knee operations. 801,422 12. The former Titans star quarterback has injured nearly every part of his body at one time or another. You wouldnt believe the number of divorces when the big money stops coming in. It's detailed, proudly, in his book, "The Pain of Glory" (ISBN 1-58261-066-5), published in 2000. But a lot of guys no longer get the "Hey, Joe, how you doing. " WebHow did Jim Otto loose his leg? This interview was conducted by FRONTLINEs Tom Jennings on Dec. 22, 2012. During his fifth training camp, he suffered the injury that ultimately led to amputation. I'm going to be just like you, Pops." He recorded three sacks and forced two fumbles with a severely torn pectoral muscle. Before his death in 1992, Raiders defensive lineman Lyle Alzado said long-term steroid use was the cause of the brain tumor that eventually killed him. But in this particular case, it was pretty good blows he was hitting me with to break my nose, break my cheekbone and my zygomatic arch bone up here. Double-zero recalls stories about all He gave the following advice to future Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey: Make sure when anyone tackles you he remembers how much it hurts., 20. 22. In the 1973 regular season, Oakland scored 292 points (20.9 points/game), 10th of 26 teams in the NFL and avenged their defeat at the hands of the Steelers during the 1973-74 NFL playoffs before losing to the Dolphins. Jim Otto played before my time as a fan but I know his name and looked forward to reading his story. Most of these players are young, and they feel invincible, said Stuart Fishelman, a Baltimore doctor who provides sports psychology services. He has had two major back surgeries, 16 knee operations and five artificial knees. Larry Csonka, Fullback, Miami Dolphins & New York Giants (1968-1974, 1976-1979). They would worry about the consequences later., Huizenga said: I would say most of the doctors are first-rate professionals, but they can fall into a trap from the huge pressures of owners and the millions of dollars involved, especially in big games. Why isn't there somebody that can help him? Anything loosea knee pad, a shoe, a chin strapwould be ripped off by a Butkus tackle. There was about 150 people come, and naturally I wanted to play well and everything. According to Yaras-Davis, a knee injury forced former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Roger Stillwell to get special devices to pull himself out of bed. If they don't enjoy it, then they should play soccer or they should play something else. I'm going to meet you someplace in there, and maybe one of us is going to lose a leg. Red Grange called George Trafton the toughest, meanest, most ornery critter alive. The 235-pound center had his college days cut short after he was expelled from Notre Dame and was considered the dirtiest player of his time. And from what I understand and read -- never met him -- it does sound like he played that game exactly like you described. And that's why Sally and I came to the forefront Did anybody do anything for Mike Webster with Pittsburgh? Otto played high school football at Wisconsin's Wausau High School, under coach Win Brockmeyer. WebJim Otto (born January 10, 1992) is a retired American football Offensive Tackle. In his book, "The Pain of Glory" Otto described near-death experiences from medical procedures, including fighting off three life-threatening infections due to complications from his artificial joints During the 1980s, Otto was involved in numerous business ventures. His joints are riddled with arthritis, and he has debilitating back and neck problems. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame receives No. It was a good, clean hit. Steve McNair, Quarterback, Houston/Tennessee Oilers & Titans & Baltimore Ravens (1995-2007). I have issues, yes, I have issues. Nobody is helping me. Former Colts linebacker Mike Curtis said those cases are few and too highly publicized. But you're talking about a different kind, the much more common, everyday, every play? Of those who did not leave because of injury, 56.2% reported similar emotional problems. He was called the John Wayne of Football by John Madden. Some things couldnt be measured, however, like Jims self-motivation, commitment and pride. Unitas missed most of the 1968 season due to injury but returned in the Super Bowl to lead Baltimore on its only touchdown drive in a 16-7 loss to the Jets. Ernie Stautner, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers (1950-1963). If anybody tells you anything different, then they are dumber than I think they are., Krueger replied: Oh yeah, wait till some of these guys turn 65, and they have a bad heart, crummy knees or a screwed-up personality. Garrison has also played through a separated shoulder, a severely broken nose and a broken collarbone. Jim Otto: The Pain of Glory is the story about a man who fought through numerous injuries, frequent surgeries, and a myriad of other maladies. James Edwin Otto (born January 5, 1938 in Wausau, Wisconsin) is a former center for the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League. I think a lot of it is related to the pain and the lack of ability that I have for doing certain things. He dragged Ronnie Lott twenty yards. I wanted people to respect me.. WebJim Otto This article was written by Rich Shmelter For 15 seasons, the 00 on Jim Ottos uniform stood out like a beacon. Grasping lifes highs and lows for Jim Otto his excellence on the football field and the lifelong physical toll achieving that excellence extracted requires little more than reading the first few pages of his aptly titled autobiography, The Pain of Glory.. Jim Otto, Center, Oakland Raiders (1960-1974), Otto played fifteen seasons and never missed a game, despite 10 broken noses and over 40 back, knee, and shoulder operations, including 28 to his knees alone. Some players have catheterized themselves and replaced their own urine with clean samples before testing.. So when you retire from football and you've been involved in football, some kids -- it never happened to me. As a show of respect, he always calls Raiders' owner Al Davis "Mr. So all of a sudden here comes Raymond into the game. And she says, "I didn't marry you for that leg anyway." Nobody took me off the field, said, "Jim, you've got to do this." Twenty-three, 22, you lose count after a while, said Otto, the former Oakland Raiders center. I didn't bite his nose, he said. I don't like concussions. And I've refused at this point yet to give them that. Earl Campbell, Running Back, Houston Oilers & New Orleans Saints (1978-1985), I can't think of anyone who even comes in a close second, when you say, Running backswho really hurts? In 1999, he was ranked number 78 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. 12. He proudly stated that he played football because it was the only way he could hit someone and get away with it. Was that right? He was an All-Star in the first 13 of his 15 seasons (every year in the AFL from 1960 through 1969) and three of his five seasons in the NFL. What is it about the idea for you -- I mean, do you feel like this stuff about brain research and NFL players is kind of hogwash, or do you think there's something to it? WebGet the latest career stats for Jim Otto of the on CBS Sports Kilroy denied the charge. In one game, he was knocked unconscious by a 49er defender. And sure, this hurts, but, you know -- and it can hurt somebody, but I don't think a guy should get fined for doing something he was taught to do all through high school, in college and now in the pros. Nearly two out of three retirees live with a permanent injury. Get hit in the head so hard your eyes were crossed? He maintained his streak despite pneumonia, an ulcer, and a shotgun wound to the side. When you have nobody helping you in a situation like that, I would imagine it's a pretty empty feeling to be going through life with that problem and nobody is coming to help you. He was issued jersey number 50 for the AFL's inaugural season, 1960, but switched to his familiar 00 the next season. And then tell me about a good solid head hit that you remember from the NFL as well. He spent the week prior to a game building up his hatred over the opponent. Here's the last question. Most current players feel they have more leverage since Butkus filed a $1.6 million suit against the Bears in 1974 and came away with a $600,000 settlement. In the Eagles' next game, against the Giants, McDonald caught three touchdowns and returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown. Thats when doctors operated on his back for 11 1/2 hours to remove scar tissue and insert rods, screws and ties so he could walk again. In 1990, four players were suspended. Football is a contact sport, and injuries are a part of the game. His dedication and durability symbolized the teams Commitment to Excellence motto. Bob Lilly, Defensive Tackle, Dallas Cowboys (1961-1974). I think what they're doing, they're going to cost so much money that the owners and high schools won't be able to afford the insurance for the game and stuff like that. No. I mean, it's affected my life; it surely has. And anything that we would do, it was part of our lineage, part of our genes, part of what our family had given us, the will to be the best. He led the Eagles to championships in 1949 and 1960. Minor injuries, therefore minor distractions, he called them. But no, amnesia, it's a serious thing. Marsh played with the Raiders seven years, during which he was hospitalized 18 times and had 13 surgeries. Jim Otto was a Raiders ironman. You want to spell football: T-U-F-F. We'd attack the bunker, and the quarterbacks would be sitting in a tank with the general saying, 'Well, what kind of attack are you planning?' Runyan has started 180 consecutive games at right tackle, and has played in the postseason on seven occasions. He wasn't drafted by any NFL team, so he joined the Oakland Raiders of the new AFL, went on a strength program to increase his weight by 50 pounds, and became Oakland's starting center for the next 15 seasons. Jim Brown, Running Back, Cleveland Browns (1957-1965), Arguably the greatest combination of power and speed the game has ever seen, Brown missed one game in his nine-year career. He spit in the face of Eagles safety Bill Bradley as he lay injured on the ground. He became homeless, those stories. I know he was a great football player. The Cowboys won the game, earned home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and captured the Super Bowl title. If you get hit in the head and a little dizziness comes out of it, you've suffered a concussion. When asked why he played through the pain, instead of watching from the sidelines, Smith calmly responded, This is why they pay me., 19. And that happened to me in college, too, so it -- each time [I] had a very sickly feeling after it had happened, you know? Thats one of the major reasons why so many of these guys walk with limps.. Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens (1996-present). It came from the game. Chuck Bednarik, Center & Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles (1949-1962), The greatest collision of all time was Bednarik hitting Gifford. As he approached me on the sideline, he shook his head and said, That last guy really gave me a good lick, coach.' Among Doblers principal offenses were biting, gouging, punching, kicking, and grabbing the face mask. McDonald suffered exactly zero broken noses and knocked out teeth in his career. We went to Green Bay to play the Packers, and in the book I wrote that I had a big fan base from my hometown in [Wausau, Wis]. Otto worked diligently to build his body up to his playing weight of 250 pounds. Players are bigger now. He missed the whole next year of football. Yes, Id do it all again. If they enjoy hitting somebody, let them hit people; let them play football. As a 248-pound defensive end, he played in 282 consecutive games. In one game, he knocked out the entire Washington Redskins backfield one by one. Rocky Bleier, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers (1968, 1971-1980). Well, in some cases guys are heroes, and all of a sudden they're not heroes. Well, as you know, it didnt get better. There wasn't anybody. Is there something about Wisconsin, or is it something about how you just approached that position itself, the center? It's the way we were taught to hit. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Former Chicago Bears tight end and head coach Mike Ditka waddles like a wooden toy soldier because of an artificial hip. He counts three near-death experiences directly related to infections or septic shock from football-related surgeries. WebJim Otto was an All-Star in the first 13 of his 15 seasons every year in the AFL from 1960 through 1969 and three of his five seasons in the NFL. He only called timeout one time and that was to reset his broken nose. But in my heart, I'm leaning to very possibly doing it, donating my brain, because if there is something there that can help others, that's what I should be doing. I don't know anything that much about Junior. Well, I'm very fortunate that I can do that, because there are times that I can't remember people's names. I put my head down and charged into the hole. He has played through numerous injuries such as a separated right clavicle, an infected right shoulder, a dislocated ring finger on his right hand, torn cartilage in his right knee, a strained calf, a hip pointer, a ruptured disk, back spasms, strained rib cartilage, severely bruised ribs, a left knee sprain, an MCL sprain, a left ankle sprain, severe turf toe, a cracked bone spur in his left ankle, a bone spur in his toe, and a severely bruised sternum. Raider, grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin, a medium-sized town in the central part of the state where he excelled as a hockey goaltender and as a football center at Wausau High. I thought he killed Frank. Garrison wrapped his thumb in tape and played the next day, rushing for over 100 yards. Graves experience spans over 37 years as a football administrator of the NFL. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. About FRONTLINE Today, Otto is handicapped, but he says he wouldn't change a thing if given the opportunity to do it over again. NAPA, Calif. -- Hall of Fame center Jim Otto recently had his right leg amputated and is recovering in a hospital in Utah. We're not the only guys. We reserve the right to not post comments that are more than 400 words. He played a game against the Saints with a dislocated shoulder. These guys constantly live on the edge, and the same behavior they once used to achieve notoriety on the field they exhibit off the field.. If I had a graph I could show you it. One time, Otto nearly died on the operating table. Otto paid the price, as he has had 74 surgeries, including 28 knee operations, and in 2007 his lower right leg had to be amputated but has said that he Every game. Right. I was depressed because I wasn't running out on the field anymore, when they announced "At center, Jim Otto." And a lot of times these guys fall into that category or one of those categories, and it happens that they commit suicide. We met at the line of scrimmage, and you could hear the thud all over the Polo Grounds. If you want to get into something else, play with the girls., 2. . The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently received new artifacts from Super Bowl LV. Jim Otto was elected into the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1980. But Jim suffered greatly for that glory. It actually has to do with Junior Seau this past year and other recent events.
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