The Raider Nation mourns the loss of Gene Upshaw

Thoughts from the Dark Side

August 21, 2008

The Raider Nation mourns the loss of Gene Upshaw

10 Comments

Recommended (0) | Share

Gene Upshaw has passed away from pancreatic cancer. The Raider Nation is in shock at the loss of one of the pillars of the tradition of greatness that is the Oakland Raiders. Upshaw played for the Raiders from 1967-81 earning nearly every accolade that could be conferred on an NFL player, culminating in his being named to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1987. Rather than fade into obscurity after his retirement, he worked his way up the ranks of the NFL Players Association until he was named president.

Playing Career

Gene Upshaw played in three Super Bowls for the Oakland Raiders, winning two of them. He started over 200 consecutive games at left guard, and was named to seven Pro Bowls and was an eleven time All Pro. He completely neutralized Vikings Hall of Fame defensive lineman Jim Marshall in Super Bowl XI allowing him to make ZERO tackles.

[youtube]9dKMtWqGoNQ[/youtube]

President of the NFLPA

Upshaw's tenure as president of the NFLPA was marked with success as he was able to secure increasingly larger shares of the revenue for the players, and incredible increases in player salary.� He has come under fire in recent years, with accusations that he has neglected the needs of the retired players. There was even a movement from current players to potentially unseat him as president.

This is a dark day for the Raider Nation, as one of the greats has fallen. The Nation's prayers and thoughts are with Mr Upshaw's family.

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

10 Comments on "The Raider Nation mourns the loss of Gene Upshaw"

Posted by HITMAN, August 21, 2008 5:57 AM

The Raiders have lost a giant with the passing of Gene Upshaw. Truly a sad day for the Raider faithful.

Posted by RaiderRoss, August 21, 2008 6:13 AM

Rest in Peace Gene. You will be missed.

Posted by Mar Wishom, August 21, 2008 7:16 AM

Mr upshaw was one of the Raiders legends

RIP

Posted by Pastor Mando, August 21, 2008 8:09 AM

Patrick, You said it all, Great Tribute to one of the All-Time Raider Greats! It's truly a sad day, not only in the Raider Nation but around the country, Gene, took care of his own over the years, as President of the NFL Players Union.

As for the Raider faithful, as todays news broke of his passing, It's left a void in our hearts? Many in the Raider

Nation around the country must have had countless encounters with Gene, having the pleasure of meeting or just being a friend to him, "Yes, Gene Upshaw will be missed, As we remember him, we realize that we all have a treasure chest full of memories of him in our hearts, and that's when healing takes place. May God Bless the Raider Nation, As we mourn the passing of our friend...

May God Almighty, bring comfort to everyone that was a friend of Gene...May the Spirit of the Lord, bring comfort upon the Upshaw family in their time of separation...

"And The Nation said Amen"

www.nationministry.com

Posted by Umer Waris, August 21, 2008 8:36 AM

A sad, sad day for the nation.

Upshaw will forever remain in our thoughts, prayers and hearts.

May his soul find peace and serenity in heavan.

Posted by Jeff Cox, August 21, 2008 9:01 AM

Rest in peace Mr. Upshaw. The Lord continues to build his own football team by adding the GREAT Gene Upshaw.

Posted by Anthony Brown, August 21, 2008 9:42 AM

Nice play, Gene.

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: The Raider Nation mourns the loss of Gene Upshaw | The RaiderCast, August 21, 2008 9:54 AM

[...] Read more. Posted in Commentary, Oakland Raiders | [...]

Posted by Charles Oakey, August 22, 2008 2:46 PM

Everyone knows about Gene Upshaw's stellar play against Jim Marshall and the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.

But do you remember in Super Bowl II against Green Bay rookie Gene Upshaw never let the Packers' veteran Henry Jordan get near the quarterback.

What a great football player Gene Upshaw was.

#10

Posted by John Thompson, August 25, 2008 12:40 AM

We probaly will never beable to protect a left handed quater back as this man and his sidekick shell. Ask Stabbler. or the shell shock fellow that had come from a couple of teams that was not able to protect him Plunkett. He is a legend