Gene Upshaw Passes [Pancreatic Cancer]

[Keith]

Great player, influential individual given his role with the NFLPA. Sad to see him go. His passing could have major ramifications on the new CBA.

Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, 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.

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

[Nconroe]

I wish Gene Upshaw and his family all condolences. He was someone who did impact the game for sure.

I didn't like Oakland, but he was a great player there.

I do see the NFLPA likely being more difficult negotiations now in the future as well, but who knows.

[Mike]

Wow. That is fast even for pancreatic cancer. I hope I never have cancer, but the last two I would want would be colon or pancreatic. Those two are incredibly nasty and laugh at chemo. Death from those usually comes with alot of suffering.

Prayers to his family.

[HPF Bob]

Agree with all the comments here. The NFLPA may try to become more like the MLBPA with Gene's passing. I always considered him more reasonable than the MLBPA, which is why the NFL has prospered more than MLB.

[NBT]

We will all miss Gene Upshaw. A fine gentleman.

[painekiller]

I grew up watching Upshaw, Shell, and Otto, what a group. Gene was the modern OLT before there was an OLT. He will be missed.

[NBT]

Yeah Pk, me too, along with George Blanda Oilers/Raiders, and Billy Cannon Oilers/Raiders. Etc.