Jim Otto--1971
Old double-zero... Jim Otto.
The Hall of Fame (inducted 1980)
center was a 12-time Pro Bowler and
appeared in 13 playoff games for the
Oakland Raiders.
We also believe that he served as
the model for the little plastic linemen
in the vibrating football game of the
1970s.
It was an era before Madden's NFL
video games appeared on our
television screens. Lining up your
team and placing the little felt ball in
the arm of your running back... there
would be a flick of the switch and the
vibrating began.
It was a battle for every yard, as most
of the time our little plastic heroes
whirled around like a bastard broken
wheel on a shopping cart...
essentially going nowhere and
serving as an annoyance.
Eventually a team would score, either
by touchdown or a long distance field
goal by the out-of-place big white
plastic guy who you would pluck in
order to kick the ball.
It was hours spent dreaming of
playing in the NFL... to someday be
on a football card and become a
Cardboard God.
(Editor's Note: Here's an article on
the difficult Jim's life has become...
(Jim Otto Story, SF Chronicle,
11/2/08)
though you know he's one tough guy
who will endure, as he did for 15
seasons in the AFL/NFL.)
(12/10/10)
The Hall of Fame (inducted 1980)
center was a 12-time Pro Bowler and
appeared in 13 playoff games for the
Oakland Raiders.
We also believe that he served as
the model for the little plastic linemen
in the vibrating football game of the
1970s.
It was an era before Madden's NFL
video games appeared on our
television screens. Lining up your
team and placing the little felt ball in
the arm of your running back... there
would be a flick of the switch and the
vibrating began.
It was a battle for every yard, as most
of the time our little plastic heroes
whirled around like a bastard broken
wheel on a shopping cart...
essentially going nowhere and
serving as an annoyance.
Eventually a team would score, either
by touchdown or a long distance field
goal by the out-of-place big white
plastic guy who you would pluck in
order to kick the ball.
It was hours spent dreaming of
playing in the NFL... to someday be
on a football card and become a
Cardboard God.
(Editor's Note: Here's an article on
the difficult Jim's life has become...
(Jim Otto Story, SF Chronicle,
11/2/08)
though you know he's one tough guy
who will endure, as he did for 15
seasons in the AFL/NFL.)
(12/10/10)
