NFL Hall of Famer and NFLPA union head Gene Upshaw has died. He was 63. Upshaw died Wednesday night at his home in Lake Tahoe, Calif., of pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed only last Sunday, the NFL Players Association said Thursday.
His wife Terri and sons Eugene Jr., Justin and Daniel were by his side. His death was first reported by Clear Channel Online that appeared on several radio Web sites.
Upshaw’s death came only two days after the union announced he would hold a briefing on labor negotiations before the Sept. 4 season opener between Washington and the New York Giants.
His outstanding 15-season playing career was entirely with the Oakland Raiders and included two Super Bowl wins and seven Pro Bowl appearances. Upshaw’s biography was posted on the front page of the Hall of Fame Web site Thursday along with his enshrinement speech from 1987.
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.
Upshaw was criticized by some for not being tough enough in talks with Tagliabue, a close friend of the union head. He also was blamed by many older veterans for not dealing sufficiently with their health concerns.
Frequently was listed as one of the most powerful men in U.S. sports, Upshaw was drafted in the first round by Oakland in 1967 out of Texas A&I — hardly a football factory. He was an NAIA All-American at center, tackle and end, but was switched to left guard by the Raiders.
And that’s where he stayed through a magnificent career that included 10 conference championship games as well as the Super Bowl victories.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
