NFL legend Gene Upshaw dies at 63

By Perry Green
Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

(NNPA)-NFL legend Gene Upshaw, who spent 25 years as head of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), has died. He was 63.

Upshaw died Aug. 20 at his home in Lake Tahoe, Calif., after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer only a few days earlier, the NFLPA announced.

"We are deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden and unexpected death of our leader," the NFLPA said in a statement on its website. "Gene learned he was sick just this past Sunday and he died with his wife [Terri] and his sons [Eugene Jr., Justin and Daniel] by his side."

Upshaw, an 11-time All-Pro guard and seven-time pro bowler for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders franchises, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. He had served as executive director of the NFL players' union since 1983.

Born in Robstown, Texas, Upshaw played college football at Texas A&M. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1967 NFL draft and earned a starting position at left guard as a rookie. He was a member of two Super Bowl title teams with the Raiders.

As leader of the players' union, Upshaw led the players through a strike in 1987 and sparked an antitrust litigation against the league, which led to a labor peace agreement that helped cement the NFL as the most successful professional sports organization in America.

Upshaw also helped spearhead the institution of free agency and franchise salary caps in the NFL.

"Few people in the history of the National Football League have played the game as well as Gene and then had another career in football with so much positive impact on the structure and competitiveness of the entire league as Gene," former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said.

Despite his contributions, Upshaw was also the target of criticism by former NFL players for what they deemed a lack of effort concerning the health of retired veterans.

Certain retired players believed Upshaw was too friendly in negotiations with former NFL commissioner Tagliabue in discussing benefit packages provided for retired veterans in need.

Nonetheless, Upshaw did far more good for players than harm.

The current league salary cap is $116 million and according to the labor agreement signed in 2006, players are making nearly 60 percent of the league's total revenue. In total, NFL players will be paid $4.5 billion this season.

Upshaw also served as a living reflection of the advancement of African Americans in obtaining equal opportunity in administrative positions.

"Gene was a true pioneer as one of the few African American leaders of a major union,'' said former Oakland Raiders player and fellow teammate of Upshaw, Art Shell. ''He was the equal of owners in negotiations and made the league a better place for all players."

This is part of the September 3, 2008 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.