Multiple news outlets are reporting that Gene Upshaw, the Oakland Raiders Hall of Famer who has ruled the NFL players' union for the last quarter century, has died at the age of 63.Upshaw's death was first reported by Jim Riggio of Clear Channel, who reported that Upshaw had pancreatic cancer. Upshaw had never disclosed that he was ill, but other outlets, including NBC Sports and the Post Chronicle, have also reported Upshaw's death.
At 8:30 a.m. Eastern, the NFL confirmed Upshaw's death.
Upshaw played for the Oakland Raiders from 1967 to 1981. He was active in the players' union and became its executive director shortly after his retirement.
Sports Deaths in 2008
Gene Upshaw, Aug. 21: The Executive Director of the NFL Players Association and Hall of Fame football player passed away at age 63.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
Ronney Vargas, Aug. 16: The promising undefeated boxer and three-time Daily News Golden Gloves champion was shot to death after getting into a fight at a Bronx bodega.
New York Daily News
Orville Moody, Aug. 8: The 1969 U.S. Open champion and U.S. Army veteran died at 74. "[He] was a patriot first and a professional golfer second," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.
Gary Newkirk, Getty Images
Craig Jones, Aug. 3: The 23-year-old racer, seen here after the Qatar Supersport motorcycle race in February, died hours after a horrific high-speed crash at the World Supersport Championship.
Hasan Jamali, AP
Skip Caray, Aug. 3: The longtime Atlanta Braves broadcaster, and son of Hall of Famer Harry, died in his sleep at 68.
Atlanta Braves, MLB / Getty Images
Gyorgy Kolonics, July 15: The two-time gold medalist, who had won 15 world championships, collapsed in his canoe while training for the Olympics.
Scott Barbour, Getty Images
Todd Doxey, July 13: A redshirt freshman on the Oregon football team died tragically after trying to swim the McKenzie River during an inner-tube trip with several teammates.
San Diego Union Tribune / Zuma Press
Bobby Murcer, July 12: The long-time Yankees star and broadcaster lost his battle with brain cancer at 62.
Julie Jacobson, AP
Mando Ramos, July 6: The two-time lightweight boxing champion, seen here in 1967, who claimed he "never really trained, not for a single fight," went into respiratory arrest and passed away at his home.
Ben Olender, The Los Angeles Times / AP
Terrence Kiel, July 3: The former Chargers safety was killed in a car crash in an affluent San Diego neighborhood. Witnesses told police he appeared to be driving in the wrong direction when he crashed.
Brian Bahr, Getty Images
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