Gene Upshaw Has Passed Away

BillsGiants_Rep · Post #1 » by **BillsGiants_Rep** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:54 am

Supposedly of pancreatic cancer. I just heard it on Fox Radio

RIP to a Hall of Famer who spent career as an all pro guard with the Raiders. Even though I didn't like his views (especially concerning retired NFL players), this is a sad moment

http://www.910knew.com/cc-common/news/s ... le=4127682

Post #2 » by **PhilipNelsonFan** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:07 am

Wow. Rest in peace and hell to anyone who dares to piss on his grave.

He may not have been popular but he also wasn't given the leeway that MLB and NBA player reps have.

Elway=GOAT · Post #3 » by **Elway=GOAT** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:17 am

RIP, the cancer is no joke. **** killed my grandmother, I feel bad for anyone who passes away via the cancer.

treiz · Post #4 » by **treiz** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:59 pm

RIP. Cancer killed my aunt as well.

Post #5 » by **Icness** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:30 pm

This is absolutely huge. Terrible tragedy.
I wrote a piece on him, should be up on the main page soon, check it out.

hermes · Post #6 » by **hermes** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:35 pm

Post #7 » by **Da Schwab** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:46 pm

RIP to possibly the greatest guard to ever play the game of football.

cowboys4life · Post #8 » by **cowboys4life** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:13 pm

R.I.P Gene

bigrich88 · Post #9 » by **bigrich88** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:25 pm

R.I.P. Gene Upshaw

What a tragedy.

VinnyTheMick · Post #10 » by **VinnyTheMick** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:03 pm

One of the greatest players of all time. A great Union head regardless of the current climate as well.

Post #11 » by **HMFFL** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:34 am

He's going to be missed and I hope everyone close to him stays strong!

Post #12 » by **Da Schwab** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:34 am

That was a nice piece, Ic.

Post #13 » by **Icness** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:55 am

Da Schwab wrote:That was a nice piece, Ic.

Thanks man! I've actually gotten quite a bit of positive feedback from lots of people who have never emailed me before. Some of them even have NFL ties.

I'm just not ready to dive into all the CBA ramifications quite yet. Aside from my enormous respect for Gene Upshaw, I think it's too early to say who fills the vacuum and where the negotiations head. Plus I'm trying to wrap up all these freaking season previews, which I hope y'all are enjoying even though some (say, Dallas and Houston) have produced a lot of real nasty, negative emails.

LAKESHOW · Post #14 » by **LAKESHOW** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:41 am

RIP.

this is the time where ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS he has done with the union will be brought to light. too much has been made of past players, and there are some legitimate complaints. but he has done good and players have gotten paid since hes been there, although much of the good has been covered, by a few of the sticking points.

A.J. · Post #15 » by **A.J.** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:41 pm

R.I.P.

WEFFPIM · Post #16 » by **WEFFPIM** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:18 pm

He was diagnosed on Sunday and died Thursday.

People, go get checked out, even if you don't think you have any issues, just go get checked out anyways. You just never know.

RIP Gene

Paladin55 · Post #17 » by **Paladin55** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:39 am

I am old enough to have seen a NY Titans game at the Polo Grounds. I was also a very undersized HS right guard many many years ago. The three guys I admired at the position I played were Jerry Kramer of Green Bay, Dave Herman of the Jets, and Gene Upshaw of the Raiders.

Very sad to hear about his sudden death, and stunned that the cancer had only been diagnosed a short time ago. Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst cure rates of any cancer. I have to think that he was going through some pain, and like the pro lineman he had been, living with it until the discomfort reached the point where he had to get it checked.

Hard to believe that not only was he an influencial figure as a player in both the AFL and the NFL, but also a major labor leader for the players. The man did a lot of things in his 63 years.

Post #18 » by **Icness** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:51 pm

Paladin55 wrote:I am old enough to have seen a NY Titans game at the Polo Grounds. I was also a very undersized HS right guard many many years ago. The three guys I admired at the position I played were Jerry Kramer of Green Bay, Dave Herman of the Jets, and Gene Upshaw of the Raiders.

Very sad to hear about his sudden death, and stunned that the cancer had only been diagnosed a short time ago. Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst cure rates of any cancer. I have to think that he was going through some pain, and like the pro lineman he had been, living with it until the discomfort reached the point where he had to get it checked.

Hard to believe that not only was he an influencial figure as a player in both the AFL and the NFL, but also a major labor leader for the players. The man did a lot of things in his 63 years.

I love when we get more "senior" members on these forums! Please don't be a stranger.
My dad was also an undersized lineman, played center (okay, he never played but he was on the team) at Ohio State in the mid-60s at 6'0", 245ish pounds. He always worshipped Jerry Kramer as well as Gene Hickerson of the Browns, who often started seasons at 250 but finished them at around 225. Upshaw fit that mold as well.

Some truly great eulogizing from Upshaw's former teammates all week on Sirius NFL Radio. Everyone fondly recalls how Upshaw was always looking for an advantage, legal or not.

CJ_18 · Post #19 » by **CJ_18** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:36 am