Zoneboy
08-21-2008, 02:59 AM
Link (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-08-21-upshaw_N.htm)
NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw has died, apparently of pancreatic cancer. His death was confirmed Thursday morning by Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer who has represented the NFLPA in labor negotiations.
His death was confirmed Thursday morning by Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer who has represented the NFLPA in labor negotiations.
Kessler said Upshaw did not receive his diagnosis until Sunday night "and he didn't tell anybody. He didn't know until Sunday."
Employees of the NFLPA, based in Washington, D.C., were beginning to get word of Upshaw's death around 8:30 a.m. ET.
The Hall of Fame guard who played 16 seasons for the Oakland Raiders was 63. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and an five-time all-pro.
He also played on two Super Bowl champions and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, the same year he led a players' strike as union chief.
Upshaw is survived by his wife, Terri, and sons, Justin, Daniel and Eugene Jr
NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw has died, apparently of pancreatic cancer. His death was confirmed Thursday morning by Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer who has represented the NFLPA in labor negotiations.
His death was confirmed Thursday morning by Jeffrey Kessler, a lawyer who has represented the NFLPA in labor negotiations.
Kessler said Upshaw did not receive his diagnosis until Sunday night "and he didn't tell anybody. He didn't know until Sunday."
Employees of the NFLPA, based in Washington, D.C., were beginning to get word of Upshaw's death around 8:30 a.m. ET.
The Hall of Fame guard who played 16 seasons for the Oakland Raiders was 63. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and an five-time all-pro.
He also played on two Super Bowl champions and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, the same year he led a players' strike as union chief.
Upshaw is survived by his wife, Terri, and sons, Justin, Daniel and Eugene Jr