Hall of Famer and executive director of the NFL Players’ Association Gene Upshaw passed away last night at the age of 63, losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. Upshaw was the 17th pick in the first AFL-NFL combined draft in 1967. He played 15 seasons with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, winning two Super Bowls in the process. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1987. Upshaw is survived by his wife Terri and sons Eugene Jr., Justin and Daniel.
Few men have contributed as much to the National Football League as Upshaw did. As a guard, he excelled in an elite level and was very deserving of his Hall of Fame induction. As the head of the Players’ Association, he helped pull the league out of the strike in the 1980s and has brought the players he represents great prosperity. Commissioner Roger Goodell had kind words to say about Upshaw. “He was the rare individual who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame both for his accomplishments on the field and for his leadership of the players off the field. He fought hard for the players and always kept his focus on what was best for the game. His leadership played a crucial role in taking the NFL and its players to new heights,” Goodell said.
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