Raiders Hall of Fame guard and Gene Upshaw has died. He was 63. He was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Upshaw was the Executive Director of the NFL Players Association since 1983.
In is roles as NFLPA head, he'd been criticized by former players that felt neglected watching current players make millions. Some players had begun looking for Upshaw's eventual replacement.
Below is the statement released by the NFLPA:
"We are deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden and unexpected death of our leader, Gene Upshaw. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Terri, and their three sons - Eugene, Justin and Daniel. Gene learned he was sick just this past Sunday and he died with his family at his side. We ask that the media respect our need to begin the process of dealing with this unexpected tragedy and to begin the grieving process."
Upshaw spent 15 seasons with the Raiders after being a first-round draft pick from Texas A&I in 1967. He appeared in the Super Bowls in three different decades and his 217 games played are second in team history.
Upshaw's 24 play games are tops in team history.
He played in six Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Check back throughout the days for comments from the team and former teammates.
--Jason Jones
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