Gene Upshaw Dies at 63

[TopGun]

http://www.wgiram.com/cc-common/news/secti...article=4127682

Gene Upshaw Dies at 63

The longtime NFL Players Association executive director had been fighting pancreatic cancer.
Thursday, August 21, 2008

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Hall of Fame football player and longtime NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw has died, sources have told Clear Channel.

The offensive lineman had been fighting pancreatic cancer.

He was 63.

Upshaw played with Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1967 until 1981. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and an 11-time All-Pro selection.

He also played on two Super Bowl-winning sides.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

 

[PoolBoy]

oh my gosh.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Wow. RIP.

Cancer sucks.

 

[azsouthendzone]

Wow. I didn't even know he was sick. He helped make the game what it is today along with Tagliabue. He'll be missed by the NFL.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Wow. I didn't even know he was sick. He helped make the game what it is today along with Tagliabue. He'll be missed by the NFL.

Agreed. That is a BIG loss to the game in general. I, and everyone else have no idea who will take his place.

This is BIG BIG news.

RIP

 

[black]

RIP Gene Upshaw, your team was the shizzle in the 70's.

 

[Buckybird]

Omg!!!

 

[azdad1978]

RIP. Wow too young

 

[Cardinal Bob]

NFLPA Chief Gene Upshaw Died

Not sure what this means for collective bargaining & labor peace in the NFL, but I don't imagine it can be good.



http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3545830

 

[dreamcastrocks]

That's pretty shocking...

 

[Pariah]

Wow. RIP.

But, on the bargaining front, I don't think it'll make too much of an impact, other than the players won't be trying to oust him anymore.

 

[CardinalChris]

I too am shocked because I hadn't even heard he was sick. He did a lot for the game, as both player and NFLPA head. It was very out of left field.

 

[TJ]

RIP Gene Upshaw.

 

[cardsfanmd]

RIP-- Pancreatic Cancer is a bitch. Seemingly impossible to beat.

 

[TJ]

RIP-- Pancreatic Cancer is a bitch. Seemingly impossible to beat.

No kidding. Although I hear Patrick Swayze is handling it ok. Doesnt mean it wont come back and bite him in the ass again

 

[FArting]

Rip

 

[MadCardDisease]

Lincoln Kennedy was talking about this earlier. He said that Upshaw just found out he was sick this last weekend. It was all very sudden and has taken everyone by surprise.

Very sad indeed.

 

[Sandan]

Wow. I didn't even know he was sick. He helped make the game what it is today along with Tagliabue. He'll be missed by the NFL.

Apparently he didn't know either

 

[joeshmo]

I fear that the next person will not work as well with the Owners as Upshaw did. Upshaw got a lot of crap but he got deals done, no work stoppages, and got the players paid more money(percentage wise) then anyone else before him.

May be the biggest 3rd round steal of all time. Part of the best left side in OL history.

 

[Linderbee]

 

[abomb]

Apparently Upshaw was diagnosed on 8/14.

I know the body isnt cold, but you have to wonder how this will affect the next round of negotiations.

 

[CardLogic]

Gene Upshaw Dies at 63

Upshaw was a very good offensive guard in his playing days for the Oakland Raiders. His jersey number, yep - 63!