Jim Otto: The PAIN OF GLORY [Hardcover]

Jim Otto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 2000

Jim Otto is generally reconized as one of the greatest and most durable offensive 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 strenth program to increase his weight by 50 pounds and became Oakland's starting center for the next 15 seasons.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Jim Otto, an All-Pro center for the Oakland Raiders for 15 seasons, was the cornerstone of the fierce, win-at-all-costs Raider image. Otto's body bore the scars of those victories; he has endured 37 football-related surgeries. His memoir is a cautionary tale for coaches who tell their young charges to "play through the pain." A second-generation German immigrant from Wausau, Wisconsin, Otto learned early that life's rewards are earned not bestowed; after football, he built a fast-food empire in Northern California, which has made him a millionaire many times over. His story makes interesting, inspirational, even enlightening reading, but it is not exactly entertaining. There is simply too much pain. Otto has refused to be beaten by pain, but it defines his life, at least as he relates it here. Readers will enjoy the war stories from his playing days--and there are plenty of those--but they will come away knowing more than they want to know about knee-replacement surgery. Wes Lukowsky

About the Author

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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Sagamore Publishing; 1ST edition (July 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582610665
• ISBN-13: 978-1582610665
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jim Otto 'The Pain of Glory', October 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Jim Otto: The PAIN OF GLORY (Hardcover)

Reviewer: Bisoneyes from Redditch, Worcestershire United Kingdom
Jim Otto. The Pain of Glory is a book that covers Otto's life to date, but pays particular attention to the early years of the storied NFL club the Oakland Raiders.

Beginning with his poor childhood in rural Wisconsin, the book tracks Otto's progression to college, and on to the NFL. It outlines Otto's determination to succeed when all about him were telling him he was too small to play college football at the centre position, let alone go on to the Pro game.

Once at the Raiders the book highlights the painful beginnings for the club, and the struggles Otto overcame to become an All Pro centre. Otto's obvious love for the club and for its owner Al Davis shine through the pages. Along with this Otto highlights the key players with whom he played football with and tells some great stories about the likes of Ben Davidson, Kenny Stabler and other Raider greats.

He speaks out in the book against the modern NFL and the attitude of the player and their agents. He rages against the inclusion of players he consider unworthy of selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but whose busts stand side by side with his. Finally he lambasts the NFL who called him a liar.

Most movingly though Otto speaks of the 'Pain of Glory'. About the untold operations he has had on his once primed body, which is now giving up on him as he pays for the success he enjoyed in ways he probably never thought of. This section is an emotional, insightful and tragic commentary on professional football.

In summary 'The Pain of Glory' is a superb reflection on an exemplorary career. Its a must read for all Raiders fans, and those interested in the NFL.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Title says it all, December 26, 2000

By 

B. Mraz "Raiderbern" (Northern CA.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jim Otto: The PAIN OF GLORY (Hardcover)

A very straight forward book by Jim Otto. There is a price when one wants to achieve or aspire to achieve glory on the gridiron. Jim Otto is that person and he candidly tells us what he was willing to sacrifice to reach that plateau. For the Raider fan at heart, or a football fan in general, this is the book to read.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sports autobiography, October 21, 2000

By 

T. Broun (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jim Otto: The PAIN OF GLORY (Hardcover)

Really well done sports autobiography as far as these things usually go by one of the more legendary football players of the past 40 years. This book is an easy read filled with inspiration, humour, and an overall healthy attitude towards the life lived and the game of American football. Not to mention some very funny stories about the early days of the Oakland Raiders (nee Senors - thank God they didn't keep that name).