NFLPA director Upshaw dies of cancer

By Neal Coolong  |   Thursday, August 21, 2008  |  Comments( 6 )

NFL Football News
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Gene Upshaw, the executive director of the NFLPA, passed away as a result complications from pancreatic cancer, the Post-Chronicle and NFL.com are reporting Thursday morning.

Upshaw's ailment was not widely known before his death. He named Clark Gaines, a running back with the Jets and Chiefs from 1976 to 1982, as his deputy in the spring of 2008 against the wishes of the NFLPA.

Upshaw was an 11-time All-Pro player and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was 63 years old.

Commentary: Upshaw enjoyed the distinction of being the longest-tenured labor leader in all of sports. He helped broker 21 consecutive years of continuous work without stoppage. The horizon is bleak for Gaines -- if he is appointed to the director position. Gaines would have to guide the NFLPA through what is looking to be a bitter fight with the owners in regards to the league's collective bargaining agreement, which the owners opted out of in the offseason. The 2010 season is scheduled to be uncapped, which will greatly change the climate of the most popular sport in the United States.


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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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