Gene Upshaw, President of the NFLPA, Dead At 63
Numerous 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. 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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Wow...that is sad.
Dying to cancer is bad, pancreatic one of the worst. Prayers and condolences gp o the Upshaw family.
I now wonder how this will affect the labor issue and who will take over now.
fader nation is a conquered nation
The creator of the following names:
conquered fader nation
Phyllis and his merry men
by mdierk on Aug 21, 2008 6:49 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow, that's out of nowhere.
Condolences to his family.
"Keep your head down, and inch toward daylight." - Blade of Tyshalle
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
by Russ Oates on Aug 21, 2008 7:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Horrible News
Bronco, Raider, etc. When you die of something like that it doesnt matter.
RIP.
Go Broncos!
by dbroncos78087 on Aug 21, 2008 11:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
i heard
on ESPN radio this morning he fould out he had pancreatic cancer on Sunday. Sad.
God Bless his family
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 21, 2008 12:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
My heart goes out ot his family
When I saw the news on ESPN this morning I was shocked because I had no idea that he had any type of health issues.
I hear ya mdierk, it will be interesting how the labor issues go from here.
by weazel on Aug 21, 2008 4:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
very sad
whatever issues anyone may have had with the man on the football field and in the conference room, you cannot help but be impressed by his tenacity, intelligence and love of the game and the men who played it.
My heart goes out to those who loved him and I hope that a worthy succesor honours him by carrying on his good work for the honest pros who play the game we love
and the sing along songs will be our scriptures - we gotta stay positive!
by Orange & Blue Badger on Aug 21, 2008 4:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
My Condolences to his family and friends
My father also passed away from pancreatic cancer, but at least he was fortunate to live to be almost 70.
Gene Upshaw lived his life with passion for the proression he loved, he set a high standard.
by Arctic Bronco on Aug 21, 2008 5:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

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