Breaking News: NFLPA Director Gene Upshaw Passes Away At 63
Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw, former offensive guard of the Oakland Raiders and current director of the NFL Players Association passed away this morning from pancreatic cancer. Upshaw was 63.
Upshaw played 16 seasons for the Oakland Raiders, he along with Art Shell formed one of the strongest left sides in NFL history.
He holds the distinction of being the only player in NFL history to play in three Super Bowls with the same team in three different decades (1967, 1976 and 1980). He was named to the 1970’s All-Decade Team as well as the NFL’s 75th Anniversary team.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Thanks to reader BeinMiceElf for bringing the news to my attention in a previous post.
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August 21st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
August 21st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I don’t always agree with this site and its views, but I came here first because I know that aside from the politics and the social commentary, at heart we’re all sports fans, and I know from some of the comments here that we’re all fans of the way the game was played, and the guys who played it that way, years ago.
Every fan of the NFL, especially those of us who were watching when the Super Bowls still had single numerals, feel some pain today.
Peace and love, you guys….. God bless the Upshaws and the Raiders and their fans.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
What makes me sad is that players around the NFL led by Ravens kicker Matt Stover were asking him to step down.
I never understood that since Upshaw was successful in:
1. Bringing Free Agency to the NFL
2. Having players earn a share of licensing revenue
3. Working with Roger Goodell in awarding former NFL players some form of a pension.
It was Upshaw who warned Terrell Owens NOT to sign the deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 because it be trouble in two years.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Wow! I didn’t even know he was sick. This is just crazy. These guys who are giants in their respective fields are dying too soon. He was still a young man - really. 63 is no time to be checking out.
Wow! Crazy, crazy, crazy.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Temple 3 - I never heard any reports either.
We’ve lost some great people in 2008.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
People are checking out of here at an alarming rate. Rip.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Sadly, most people don’t find out they have pancreatic cancer until it’s far too late. It’s one of the deadliest cancers because it never manifests until it’s in the very late stages. Very, very few people survive it, and most pass away quite quickly. It’s a disease worth researching.
From what I’m hearing, even his best friends had no idea, and those friends are waking up shocked when reporters are calling them for comments this morning.
Agree or disagree, as some did, with his positions as the union chief, he was always dignified, and apparently he died the same way, with a high level of dignity.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
BeinMiceElf,
Thanks for the helpful information. Cancer in all forms is a terrible disease. My heart goes out to Mr. Upshaws family.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I just heard he was diagnised on Sunday…. ON SUNDAY!!!
What can any of us say right now…..? Wow, wow, wow…
August 21st, 2008 at 1:58 pm
That’s unreal. I wonder how much time did the doctor give him.
We’ve got to take better care of ourselves. Men especially because for some reason we are natural procrastinators when it comes to our health.
August 21st, 2008 at 3:02 pm
My company did some work for Gene Upshaw a while back at his home in Great Falls, VA and I must say, this man was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Pancreatic cancer has no survival rate whatsoever. Its one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
RIP Gene…..my prayers go out to the family.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
He just found out on Sunday?! That’s crazy.
RIP Gene….
On another note, Julius J. Carry (a.ka. “Sho Nuff” in the Last Dragon) 56, died on 8/19 from pancreatic cancer.
RIP “Sho Nuff”…..respect.