The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Hall of Fame player and longtime NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw has died, NFL.com reported Thursday morning, citing no sources.

Upshaw, who was 63, had been battling pancreatic cancer.

Link

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.

Link

Wow.

Well, that certainly changes the ease of a new CBA before the current one expires. Admittedly, not everyone got along with Gene Upshaw, but he was always on the side of the players. I think they'll miss his negotiating skills. And I think it will be tougher to replace him than the media pundits would claim it will be.

if he had cancer,why had'nt he retired??

skinsfan1963 wrote:if he had cancer,why had'nt he retired??

he had just got diagnosed sunday. this is sad news for the nfl even though some people didnt like the way he handled the whole retired players issue.

anyone have any idea who will replace him?

skinsfan1963 wrote:if he had cancer,why had'nt he retired??

Many people continue to work after being diagnosed with cancer. Should they just curl up & die after receiving the news?

yupchagee wrote:

skinsfan1963 wrote:if he had cancer,why had'nt he retired??

Many people continue to work after being diagnosed with cancer. Should they just curl up & die after receiving the news?

This is true. Cancer is not always debilitating, especially if caught in early stages.

“With Gene’s passing the NFL has lost an innovator, players have lost their advocate, and I have lost a friend. A Hall of Fame player, Gene was also a hall of fame businessman and negotiator. He always had the best interests of the NFL players at heart, and that played a large role in building our League to the prominence it enjoys today. My prayers and the prayers of the Washington Redskins organization go out to his family at this sad time.”

— Redskins owner Daniel Snyder

Very sad news, R.I.P. Gene