Gene Upshaw has passed away at the age of 63 from pancreatic cancer. Upshaw was best known for the work he did as executive director of the NFL Players Association and for winning millions of dollars for NFL players as a Union leader.  Even though he was a Hall of Fame player as a guard for the Oakland Raiders.  Upshaw played with the Raiders for 15 years and was on the team when they won two of their three Super Bowls.

Gene had just learned about the cancer on Sunday after he became ill and his wife took him to the hospital.  He died at his home near Lake Tahoe, California with his wife Teri and his three son’s, Eugene Jr., Justin, and Daniel by his side.

Upshaw’s former coach and NFL legend John Madden issued a statement saying,

Gene was a great player.  He was an All-Pro.  He was a Hall of Famer.  If you look at the history of the NFL you’re going to find out that he was one of the most influential people that the league has known.  He did so much, not only for the players, but also for the owners, the teams, and the game of pro football.

Gene Upshaw will surely be missed.