Gene Upshaw Dead

Retired Oakland Raiders guard and Executive Director of the NFL Players Association Gene Upshaw passed away at the age of 63 on August 20, 2008. Upshaw had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Mark Maske's NFL Insider: Upshaw Dead at 63 (August 21, 2008)

"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."Mark Maske's NFL Insider: Upshaw Dead at 63 (August 21, 2008)