Jim Otto: The Pain of Glory

by Jim Otto

Jim Otto is generally recognized as one of the greatest and most durable centers the game of football has ever seen. 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 Otto: The Pain of Glory is the story about a man who fought through numerous injuries, frequent surgeries, and a myriad of other maladies. Double-zero recalls stories about all of his famous Raider teammates, his most memorable opponents, and the behind-the-scenes life of an NFL Hall of Famer. Otto also tells about how injuries he received as a pro football player have turned his retirement years into a struggle to live.

Genres: Sports, Football

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 24, 2000

Reviews

[Jeff Whittum · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit pompous in tone, this NFL Hall of Fame center is not without at least commensurate accolade and praise from his peers, which helps to legitimize what might otherwise have been dismissed as mere bloviating. In addition to the pomp in tone, this autobiography stands as a text book example of the stereotypically poor writing by a pro athlete. That he had a coauthor on this effort makes its grammatical sins all the more egregious. One final disappointment was that I was hoping to hear more about his interaction with another hall of fame center in Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Webster, who is said to have greatly admired and even emulated Otto. No such base was covered. Oh well.

All that being said, I did still find myself enjoying the book and grew more fond of author and his achievements for having read it (which is not always the case). So despite the bloviating and poor writing, this book still gets a solid 3.0 on the reading Richter.

[Jake Otto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pain of glory was a boring book. To me it was interesting because jim otto is my grandpa's cousin. He played football for the Raiders a long time ago. It is a biography so it isn't as exciting as something you would want to read. I found it interesting because i learned new things about my family i didn't know. So if you want to learn about my family, this is your book. I would not recommend it because it was not very fun but i liked it very much.

[Morgan Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen he is my Great Uncle so Im biased, but he was also a great man. This book provides a great look at what the life of an aspiring NFL great was like in the earlier days if the league, and provides great context to how things have changed.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Otto is a retired Oakland Raider, not a writer, so of course the book has its issues. But overall, this was a fascinating look into what it was like to be on the very first Oakland Raiders football team right up until 1975. After that, he details the effects of all his injuries and the many, many surgeries he had to endure, as well as the constant pain. This is not a bitter book. He loved his time as an NFL hall of fame football player. But it does make clear how different football was in the 1960s and 70s as compared up to around the year 2000, when the book was published. It's a good book. It is well worth reading.

[P.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amazing to read how much pain a hard nose professional athlete from back in the day will put themselves though to play the game they love. Not many people can play through the pain like the old timers did. It's sad to see that Otto is approaching his 40th operation for injuries sustained in the NFL. He recent had to have his leg amputated this year. And to think the NFL wont provide these people with better health care for their entire lives...they deserve it!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read. Jim Otto is truly an amazing man. He never gave up and never surrendered. He is truly an inspiration. With all he has been through in him life he has always stayed positive and is a true Raider through and through. This world needs more people like him!

[Kurt Rusch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the stories and the determined nature of Jim Otto. This book may make an English teacher hemorrhage though. If there was a proofreader for this book, they should be arrested for stealing.

[Rob Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have always been a big fan of Jim Otto. Love reading this book and about how football use to be when I was growing up.

[Christine Cummings]

This book by Jim Otto brought me back in time, I remember how upsetting iit was to me.when Oakland lost to Pittsburgh in the playoff game and other events of the late 1960 and 1970s era.