August 21, 200817 yr http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26326065/ By Tom Curran NBCSports.com updated 3:34 a.m. PT, Thurs., Aug. 21, 2008 Hall of Fame player and longtime NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw has died, according to a report citing unnamed sources by Clear Channel Online. Upshaw's illness was unreported on and his death was wholly unexpected. Often a lightning rod for criticism for a too-cozy relationship with former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Upshaw presided over major gains for players. Upshaw, who played for the Raiders from 1967 to 1981, was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
August 21, 200817 yr i wonder if this was why the player reps wanted him fired earlier this year...so sad...
August 21, 200817 yr i wonder if this was why the player reps wanted him fired earlier this year...so sad... As suggested in the article, this was totally unexpected. So that's unlikely. They wanted him fired because he was viewed as too cozy with ownership.
August 21, 200817 yr Update: He had pancreatic cancer. He was only diagnosed this past Sunday. Apparently it was so widespread when they found it that this was all the time he had.
August 23, 200817 yr that is such a scary turn of evens. diagnosed on sunday, thats so sad. iwas shocked when i heard it in the car on thursday.
August 25, 200817 yr and i say...................thank god the mother _______ is dead...he and tagliabue or however you spell his name have been screwing the older generations of nfl' ers for decades...the older men, played for crap money, in front of smaller crowds than at duke football and with terrible equipment and probably very shoddy team doctors back then among other various issues that the players of today couldnt have their worst nightmares about... much like with george mikan in the nba and their pension issues...i think its a disgrace...the nfl and nba in particular weild a tremendous amount of power in this country and its time that those in charge dont forget about those who burned these games into hearts and made us believe in athletes that didnt just play baseball
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