Gene Upshaw, President of the NFLPA, Dead At 63
by John Bena on Aug 21, 2008 5:53 AM PDT
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PrintNumerous news outlets are reporting that Hall of Fame Enshrinee and current NFLPA President Gene Upshaw has died this morning of complications from Pancreatic Cancer.
Adam Schefter confirmed the report on Sirius NFL Radio after talking to sources with the NFLPA. Amazingly, no one within the NFL or NFLPA knew that Upshaw was even sick, and incredible indictment on the toughness and tenacity that Upshaw showed during his Hall of Fame career.
Upshaw, a former 11-time All-Pro offensive lineman, had been fighting the disease and has now succumbed to it, according to recent reports.
Gene Upshaw, 63, was the longest-tenured labor leader in sports. He played with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1967 until 1981. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and an 11-time All-Pro.
Gene Upshaw is the only player in NFL history to play in three Super Bowls in three different decades – in the 60's, 70's and 80's.
He has been Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association since June 1983. Clark Gaines was named by Upshaw as his predecessor earlier in the year.
While rivalries on the field between the Broncos and Raiders tend to divide us, moments such as this remind us as to what is important. Gene Upshaw, both on the field and off, was a huge reason that the NFL we love today is what it is. Broncos fans want to take a moment, if only for a second, to send well wishes to the Silver and Black, who lost one of their legends, and to the NFL that lost a true champion.
Upshaw is survived by his wife, Terri, and sons, Justin, Daniel and Eugene Jr.
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R.I.P
Mr. Upshaw and condolences to your family. I will always remember you for anchoring the greatest offensive line in the history of football.
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
R.I.P Gene
You will be greatly missed. The NFL and Raider Nation have lost a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
What a shock...
I don’tthink it was public knowledge that he had that desease. He is a true legend and anchored some of the best offensive lines in history, not to mention incredible acheivements for players off the field.
May God be with your family, you will never be forgotten Mr Upshaw!
Thanks for the article Guru and a show of class.
I live, breath and breed Silver and Black!
I
heard on ESPN this morning that his family found out sunday.
I heard the same thing
which is a little surprising. My father died of pancreatic cancer and found out a year prior to his death, lived perfectly normal for 11 of those months, then the end game very fast, about 20 days. That is the general rule with pancreatic cancer, diagnosed early, then live normally for a time, then the end comes fast. I suspect that Gene knew about it prior to Sunday but didn’t tell anyone, but what do I know?
I was a season ticket holder the year #63 was drafted, saw all his games, as a rookie he started, and never gave it up, great player, will always have great memories of Upshaw pulling out and leading the run to the left, I can see the number on his back even now. Shell came a year later, and the Raiders were set for a decade or more.
Damnit.....
He will be greatly missed….it’s a sad day in the Raider Nation and to the NFL alike. Thank you for contributing so much to football Gene. It wouldn’t be the same without you leading the greatest offensive line in history and contributing to the NFL by being the NFLPA president. I send my sincerest regards to your family and may your soul rest easy. Win, lose, or tie, Raiders til’ I die.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til' I die.
by thepunisher00187 on Aug 21, 2008 2:11 PM PDT reply actions
We'll miss you, Gene!
My condolences to the Upshaw family as we all lost a tremendous man,
Into the autumn wind, good sir.
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