NFL.com is reporting that NFLPA director Gene Upshaw has passed away this morning following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Upshaw was 63.
Upshaw played in the NFL for 15 seasons with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders and was elected to 7 Pro Bowls. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Upshaw had been the head of the NFLPA since 1983. He had taken a lot of heat from the players in recent years, but you have to admit that 25 years and only one work stoppage is a pretty good job.
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Upshaw family.