Gene Upshaw, President of the NFLPA, Dead At 63

by John Bena on Aug 21, 2008 5:44 AM MDT

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

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

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

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

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

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