Otto Just Doesn't Get It

Some of us, who remember old school football fondly, have a tendency to criticize the younger generation for their sometimes selfishness and lack of respect for the game. But every once in a while, it's the old-timers who just don't get it.

One recent case in point is former Hall of Fame center for the Oakland Raiders, Jim Otto. Good old double zero captained the Silver and Black offensive line for 15 years. Next to Mike Webster, he's the greatest center to ever play the game.

Unfortunately, Hall of Fame player doesn't necessarily translate into Hall of Fame personality.

LeCharles Bentley, one of the best young centers in the game today and a three-time Pro Bowl selection, petitioned the NFL to try and change his jersey number to double zero. He did this to pay tribute to Otto and the legacy he left behind.

Bentley has long been recognized by players and the media as one of the kindest, down to earth guys in the league. There was no intent of disrespect in his actions or thoughts. Bentley is one of a very few in the NFL today that even know about Otto and his accomplishments. He's a student of the game. A true fan as well as a damn good player.

Of course, the league turned him down, just like it did Reggie Bush last month. The NFL has a strict numbers policy and won't deviate from it. So how did Otto react to all of this? How did he respond knowing that one of the best centers currently in the league wanted to honor him by wearing his number?

What was Otto's comments to the media? In one word - ugly. Otto responded with vitriol, lashing out at Bentley and the NFL for even debating the matter.

"To let him wear my number, that I built into a legacy, all it takes is one ounce of coke up his nose and that legacy is gone," Otto told the Contra Costa Times. "I don't know who he is. I played 15 years with the Raiders. He's played, what, three or four years in New Orleans? What kind of legacy would he give double zero? I don't think he should wear it and I don't think anyone in the NFL should wear it."

C'mon Jim, the whole NFL? Otto is one of the all-time greats. There's no doubt about that. But to say the entire league shouldn't wear No.00 is nonsense. If that's the case, Jim Brown's No.32, Walter Payton's No.34 and Johnny Unitas's No.19 should all be retired league wide as well.

If we took all the numbers of all the greats who ever played and retired them throughout the league - Ben Roethlisberger, Shawn Alexander and everyone else would be wearing Roman Numerals on their jerseys.

Otto doesn't understand and that's too bad for him. A younger player wanted to pay homage to an old-timer, which happens about as frequently as Halley's Comet bopping by Earth. His terrible and yes, borderline racist comments have tarnished the legacy he's so obviously proud of.

Maybe Otto is bitter that he didn't get paid what the stars of today do. Maybe it's the toll playing football took on his body that caused this caustic response. No matter, Otto let the world know he's an angry, mean-spirited, old man.

One thing is certain, he owes the NFL and LeCharles Bentley an apology.

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