Gene Upshaw facts for kids
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| No. 63 | |||||||
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| Position: | Guard | ||||||
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| Born: | August 15, 1945 Robstown, Texas, U.S. |
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| Died: | August 20, 2008 (aged 63) Lake Tahoe, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 260 lb (118 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Robstown (Robstown, Texas) | ||||||
| College: | Texas A&I | ||||||
| AFL draft: | 1967 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Gene Upshaw (born August 15, 1945 – died August 20, 2008) was a famous American football player. He played as a guard for the Oakland Raiders for 15 years. After his playing career, he became the leader of the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA). Gene Upshaw is special because he is the only player in NFL history to play in the Super Bowl in three different decades with the same team. He was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Contents
Early Life and College Football
Gene Upshaw was born in Robstown, Texas. He went to Robstown High School. For college, he played football at Texas A&I University, which is now called Texas A&M University–Kingsville. He was part of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity there. In 1967, when he was 22, Gene married Jimmye Lee Hill-Upshaw. They had a son named Eugene Upshaw III.
Gene Upshaw's Football Career
Gene Upshaw played many positions on the offensive line in college. He then became a left offensive guard for the Oakland Raiders. He played for the Raiders for 15 years in both the AFL and the NFL.
During his time with the Raiders, he played in three Super Bowls. These were in the 1967, 1976, and 1980 seasons. This made him the first player to reach the Super Bowl in three different decades. Later, Jerry Rice and Bill Romanowski also achieved this. He also played in many championship games and All-Star games.
Key Games and Achievements
In the 1976 season, Gene Upshaw was part of a very strong offensive line. They helped the Raiders win the Super Bowl XI. In that game, the Raiders ran for a huge 266 yards. Upshaw played a big role in blocking the opposing team's defensive players.
In the 1980 season, the Raiders won Super Bowl XV. Gene Upshaw and his teammates on the offensive line again helped the team's offense succeed. They outplayed the opposing team's defense.
Gene Upshaw was recognized as one of the best football players. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him as the 62nd greatest football player of all time. His brother, Marvin Upshaw, also played in the NFL as a defensive lineman.
Gene Upshaw played in many famous NFL games. These include the Heidi Game and the Immaculate Reception. He also played in 24 playoff games with the Raiders.
Leading the NFL Players' Association
After his football career, Gene Upshaw became very involved with the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA). This is the union that represents NFL players. He was an important member of the group that talked about player contracts and rights.
He became the executive director of the NFLPA. He worked to get better rights for players, like free agency. This means players can choose which team they want to play for after their contract ends. He also helped bring in the salary cap. This is a limit on how much money teams can spend on player salaries.
Gene Upshaw faced some challenges in his role. He sometimes had disagreements with retired players about their benefits. He explained that the NFLPA's main job was to help active players. However, his comments were not always well-received. Despite this, he worked hard for the rights of active NFL players until his death.
Honors and Awards
Gene Upshaw received many honors for his amazing career.
- In 1987, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors for a football player.
- In 1996, he was also inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
A special award was created in his name in 2004. It's called the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year award. It is given each year to the best offensive or defensive lineman in NCAA Division II college football.
Gene Upshaw's Passing
In August 2008, Gene Upshaw became ill at his home in Lake Tahoe. He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He passed away on August 20, 2008, just five days after his 63rd birthday. His wife, Terri, and his sons were with him.
After he passed away, the NFL honored him. All 32 teams wore a special patch on their jerseys with his initials "GU" and his number 63. Later, they wore a decal on their helmets. The Raiders continued to wear the shoulder patch for the whole season.
Images for kids
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A patch worn by NFL teams to honor Gene Upshaw after his death.
See also
- Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
- List of American Football League players
- Most consecutive starts by a left guard
