Gene Upshaw Dies at 63

Multiple news outlets are reporting that Gene Upshaw, the Oakland Raiders Hall of Famer who has ruled the NFL players' union for the last quarter century, has died at the age of 63.

Upshaw's death was first reported by Jim Riggio of Clear Channel, who reported that Upshaw had pancreatic cancer. Upshaw had never disclosed that he was ill, but other outlets, including NBC Sports and the Post Chronicle, have also reported Upshaw's death.

At 8:30 a.m. Eastern, the NFL confirmed Upshaw's death.

Upshaw played for the Oakland Raiders from 1967 to 1981. He was active in the players' union and became its executive director shortly after his retirement.

Sports Deaths in 2008

Gene Upshaw, Aug. 21: The Executive Director of the NFL Players Association and Hall of Fame football player passed away at age 63.

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Ronney Vargas, Aug. 16: The promising undefeated boxer and three-time Daily News Golden Gloves champion was shot to death after getting into a fight at a Bronx bodega.

New York Daily News

Orville Moody, Aug. 8: The 1969 U.S. Open champion and U.S. Army veteran died at 74. "[He] was a patriot first and a professional golfer second," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.

Gary Newkirk, Getty Images

Craig Jones, Aug. 3: The 23-year-old racer, seen here after the Qatar Supersport motorcycle race in February, died hours after a horrific high-speed crash at the World Supersport Championship.

Hasan Jamali, AP

Skip Caray, Aug. 3: The longtime Atlanta Braves broadcaster, and son of Hall of Famer Harry, died in his sleep at 68.

Atlanta Braves, MLB / Getty Images

Gyorgy Kolonics, July 15: The two-time gold medalist, who had won 15 world championships, collapsed in his canoe while training for the Olympics.

Scott Barbour, Getty Images

Todd Doxey, July 13: A redshirt freshman on the Oregon football team died tragically after trying to swim the McKenzie River during an inner-tube trip with several teammates.

San Diego Union Tribune / Zuma Press

Bobby Murcer, July 12: The long-time Yankees star and broadcaster lost his battle with brain cancer at 62.

Julie Jacobson, AP

Mando Ramos, July 6: The two-time lightweight boxing champion, seen here in 1967, who claimed he "never really trained, not for a single fight," went into respiratory arrest and passed away at his home.

Ben Olender, The Los Angeles Times / AP

Terrence Kiel, July 3: The former Chargers safety was killed in a car crash in an affluent San Diego neighborhood. Witnesses told police he appeared to be driving in the wrong direction when he crashed.

Brian Bahr, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

8-21-2008 @ 9:17AM

dee said...

R.I.P. Mr. Upshaw. Hall of Famer, Black n Silver forever.

8-21-2008 @ 11:47PM

HJC said...

As a friend I feel very sad

8-21-2008 @ 11:48PM

hJC said...

Thank you Dee, Read my comments under Billy Joe's remarks, Gene was one hella guy. Thanks again.

8-21-2008 @ 9:14AM

Dave said...

It's a shame, but cancer doesn't care who it hits. The Big "C" shoots to kill and Upshaw was no different. I am certain that NFL Players of the current generation owes a debt of thanks to Gene Upshaw. He will be missed.

8-21-2008 @ 10:17AM

BARERY COLEMAN said...

HE DISCRIMINATEDE AGAINST THE FORMER GENERATION OF PLAYERS, BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST...HE DOUBLED THE EVIL

8-21-2008 @ 9:15AM

David said...

Living in San Diego during those great rival years with Oakland I rmember Gen Upshaw, mostly I remember his talent. Not only was he a great football player he helped move the NFL into a true league of its own. RIP

8-21-2008 @ 10:51AM

J said...

All too many of our heros and she-roes, are meeting our Maker. I know we gotta go, but so young? Folks, the name of this game is leading healthy lifestyles, now. It is never to late to jump on the bandwagon of health. Dedicating our lives to health is only the right way to go. woo-hoo!

I send my condolences to family & friends of Mr. Upshaw.

8-21-2008 @ 9:23AM

Billy Joe said...

Maybe now the Players' Union will bring in someone who has a genuine concern for the well-being of players once they leave the game. The way Upshaw turned his back on permanently disabled retired players was shameful. In the eyes of his peers, all of his accomplishments on the field have been overshadowed by his failures as head of the players union.

8-21-2008 @ 9:34AM

The Mont said...

BILLY JOE....you compassionate S.O.B. The Man just died for goodness sake!!

8-21-2008 @ 10:38AM

Wendy Grant said...

The problem is that the NFL Players union was formed to represent active players, not former ones. Instead of saying it was Gene Upshaw's fault for not representing former players, ask if current players wanted their dues used to represent guys no longer in the league. If they did, they could have easily put something in the by-laws for that to happen. More than likely Upshaw took the hit for what his membership wanted, not what he personally wanted.

8-21-2008 @ 11:46PM

Billy Joe, I guess your name speaks for it self. You have no idea what you are talking about. I have know "MR" Gene Upshaw for years along with his brother Marvin, they both are upstanding people working for others. So chill Bill.

Find out who invented the soft strip across the top of football helmets to reduce neck injury! Be sure you know the whole story about people before you speak

Gene once said to me, Howard you can't control people because they will allways be who they are. "It's not about attitude It's about latitude" I have never forgotten those words from Gene, Thanks Gene you will be missed by thousands

8-21-2008 @ 9:26AM

William said...

Sad that Mr. Upshaw died from cancer, however, he was a true friend to the Sport management and an enemy to the players. Many of you saw the piece I believe 60 Minutes did on the role Mr. Upshaw played in denying retired players health benefits from injuries received while playing. True, some will say, that because they made so much money while playing they need not to be taken care of when they retired. Others like me would say, those who played in the early years for $10,000 or $50,000 who received nothing for their dehabiltating injuries cannot afford treatment now or then for the multiple injuries they received. Some of us get pensions and health benefits when we retire, they receive nothing. Gene Upshaw was instrumental and spent most of his career making sure the team owners paid nothing to injured disgarded players.

8-21-2008 @ 9:55AM

sannia said...

Well looks like to me that Gene did what was expected of him keeping it real The owerns are in control they want to keep all there profit for themselves. So get smart and work your deal long term for yourself in the coming in. It is a true fact that a fool and his money will part. In the game of life if you do not look after you no one will. So Gene recieved a job as head of the players union health coverage that was only a title now with the next person that comes on board you the players know what your needs need to be and play from that point that perspective to get what is needed for the welfare and benfit of the players who play the game of football.

8-21-2008 @ 9:41AM

Clinton Irving said...

I was an employee of Schlitz Brewing Co. in San Francisco in the late 60's and Mr Upshaw was hired as a " sales representative". Although I was a mail clerk, he would come into the mail room and talk briefly with me and the only other African-American male "office" employee. He was quite a mature and dignified brother who, at that time could have been no more than 23-24 years of age. No surprise that he later became the player's rep for the NFL.

8-21-2008 @ 9:36AM

Deneen N. Rivers said...

My condolences goes to the Upshaw family in their time of bereavment. May God bless and strengthen the Upshaw family is my prayer.

It was a long way from Texas A&M for both Gene and his brother Marvin. Marvin if you read this you know the white boy Gene spoke of, over the years, Gene will be missed. God bless him and his family....Howard

8-21-2008 @ 9:28AM

HOWARD said...

I'm a huge Steeler fan & Upshaw had a big role in that Steeler/Raider rivalry. For you, Gene Upshaw the Steeler Nation tips it hat to you. GOD bless your family.

Howard