Gene Upshaw Passes Away

[Elvis]

Just anouned on Mike&Mike in the morning that he has passed away of Pancreatic Cancer..
Please remember his families in prayers and thoughts

[HometownGal]

Here's the story on Mr. Upshaw's passing. RIP Gene. Prayers going out to his family, friends and the entire Oakland Raiders organization. Like him or not, he was one tough hombre.

http://kdka.com/sports/Gene.Upshaw.NFL.2.800009.html

NFL Executive Director Gene Upshaw Dies At 63

NEW YORK (AP) ― Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, has died. He was 63.

Upshaw's death was announced by the NFL Players Association, which he headed for a quarter century.

His outstanding 15-season playing career was entirely with the Oakland Raiders and included two Super Bowl wins and seven Pro Bowl appearances.

In 1983, he became executive director of the players' association and guided it through the 1987 strike that led to replacement football. By 1989, the players had a limited form of freedom, called Plan B, and in 1993, free agency and a salary cap were instituted.

Since then, the players have prospered so much that NFL owners recently opted out of the latest labor contract, which was negotiated two years ago by Upshaw and then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

[Edman]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

It's true.

He may have been controversial as the NFLPA executive director, but be was also a human being , a great football player, and one of the famous faces of the Raiders organization. RIP Gene and best of luck to his family.

[PisnNapalm]

Now perhaps the NFLPA will get someone better in there.

[SteelCityMan786]

It's tough to believe it, but the man was a hell of a rep. RIP Gene

[fansince'76]

I didn't realize he was so ill. He always seemed to be very healthy to me. RIP, Gene. And prayers and condolences to his family and friends.

[Atlanta Dan]

RIP and condolences to his family

From a Steelers-Raiders rivalry standpoint, it didn't get any better than Upshaw and Fats Holmes battling (on the 1974 Steelers America's Game program Joe Greene tells how Holmes is yelling "Eugene ... Upshaw!" while Upshaw is in the huddle and when Upshaw turns around Ernie yells "I'm gonna kick your ass" ) Now both are gone

On a labor relations front, Upshaw's passing adds one more variable to the looming train wreck of the oweners opting out of the CBA and negotiating a new deal.

[Preacher]

My condolences to his family...

I do wonder what the affect on the next contract will be.

[revefsreleets]

I think we can reasonably expect an NBA-type rookie contract in the near future...

[RoethlisBURGHer]

Wow, was it ever announced that he was ill?

This is a sad day in the NFL, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, the Oakland Raiders, and the rest of the NFL.