Otto weighed a whopping 14lbs, 2 oz at birth, but in later
life had a fondness for female silk on his buttocks. Some
trace this back to two years spent in the Navy, typically
"bottom-bunking" it on US aircraft carriers. Note that this is
largely speculative, however.
He was the NFL player of the year in 1953 and 1955, and
it was revealed post-death that he played both seasons in
their entirety with a cork wedged tightly in his nether-region.
This only serves to add fuel to his legend, and make his career-
years all that much more amazing. A phenomenon.
Storybook Otto was not only a remarkable passer, but managed
a 2.2 yd career rushing average. Modest, perhaps when
measured by standards set by Bobby Douglass, Michael Vick ...
.....or even Drew Bledsoe, but Mr Graham's Victorian Era Corset
often served as a movement inhibitor. Still, Otto nearly always
found a way to get it done on the gridiron.
The Brown legend's HoF exhibit reveals nothing of his kink,
nor his rumored trisexuality, and children may be surprised to
hear that part of the pre-game preparation for "grand-dad's
favorite Brownie" included eye-shadow touch-up and dressing
room panty-primping.
Team members of Otto's were aware of his strange "habits," yes,
but took it upon themselves to look the other away and let big
buck take care of business on the field. After all, not a crime to
cook scrambled eggs wearing a red silk bra. And Graham
rarely disappointed them, passing for over 23,000 yds and 174 tds.
After retiring as a player, Graham had a failed stint as head coach
of the Washington Redskins, going 17-22-3 in 4 seasons. Otto's
coaching techniques came into question and he fell out of favor
with players for ordering "tummy down" leg lifts on Mondays
following a defeat. Still, his odd coaching legacy will never taint
his legend as a ballplayer, where he squats as one of the truly
elite players ever to strap "them" on.
Otto died peacefully of a dissecting anneurism on December 17,
2003 surrounded by his family. He had celebrated his 58th
wedding anniversary with Bev in October and his 82nd birthday
eleven days prior to his death. He is survived by three children,
Duey, Sandy, and Dave; two foster children, Kay and Charee;
16 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.
Otto Graham, NFL Legend.
