Gene Upshaw Voted to Ninth Term as Head of NFLPA

Almost unbelievably, Gene Upshaw was reelected to a ninth consecutive three-year term as executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). During the NFL Combine this past March rumors floated that Upshaw might retire this year. His replacement was thought to be defensive back Troy Vincent, who played for the Washington Redskins in 2006.

Upshaw, a Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman who played for the Oakland Raiders, has done more harm to current and former players than any owner. He placed blame on current players for failing to provide more money for the NFL players pension fund with the infamous quote: "I don't have to answer to retired players and I won't answer to retired players. They don't pay my salary."

In addition to ensuring ex-NFL players receive the lowest pension checks of any former players in any major sport, Upshaw, through his silence, continues to fight hand-in-hand with owners to suppress the truth about everything from the dangers of cortisone to recent studies on the effects of concussions on NFL players.

Finally, Upshaw has successfully blunted any rumblings concerning the players' want for greater a greater share of the massive television revenues garnered by the owners. Greater revenue share for the players would aid greatly in establishing much-needed additional funding for ex-players, many of whom are essentially disabled from years of on-field physical punishment.

By making choices like reelecting Upshaw, present players have few legitimate complaints to air to the press and public - at least for the next three years.