Gene Upshaw dead at 63
Football Betting Lines
08/21/2008 -
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gene Upshaw, longtime head of the NFL players
union and Pro Football Hall of Famer, has died at the age of 63.
The first NFL Hall of Famer who played exclusively offensive guard, Upshaw was
battling pancreatic cancer. According to a posting on the NFLPA's web site,
Upshaw only learned that he had cancer on Sunday.
The former Oakland and Los Angeles Raider had served as executive director of
the NFL Players Association since 1983, but came under fire in recent years by
both current and former players for his perceived shortcomings in the
position.
Upshaw played his college ball at Texas A&I -- now Texas A&M-Kingsville --
where he logged time as a center, tackle, and end. The Raiders drafted him
first overall in the first combined NFL-AFL draft in 1967, and the 6-foot-5,
255-pounder held down left guard for the next 15 years for the club. Along
with fellow Hall of Famers Art Shell at tackle and Jim Otto at center, Upshaw
was part of one of the most dominant offensive lines in league history.
The Robstown, Texas native played in 207 consecutive games, a streak that
finally ended when he missed one game in 1981, his last season in the NFL.
Upshaw played in 217 regular season games, as well as 10 AFL/AFC title games
and three Super Bowls, winning two.
A seven-time Pro Bowl selection and 11-time All Pro, Upshaw was inducted into
the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his first year of eligibility.
"I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of
Gene Upshaw," said New York Jets owner Robert Wood Johnson. "He was a giant
in the NFL since entering the league in 1967, first as a Hall of Fame
offensive lineman, then as an active member of the collective bargaining
process in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and finally as the executive
director of the NFLPA.
"Gene continually served in the best interests of the game of football. He
played a colossal role in the success the NFL enjoys today, even more than
many people realize."
Upshaw traded in the relative anonymity of offensive guard for the pivotal
role as head of the players union after his retirement. He was an active
member of the NFLPA during his playing days, and took over as executive
director of the union in June 1983.
His tenure included tough times -- most notably the players strike in 1987 --
but Upshaw also took part in the negotiations of Collective Bargaining
Agreements in 1977, 1982, and 1993. The last CBA, which was extended in 1998,
2002, and 2006, was noteworthy for the addition of free agency, which the
players accepted along with a salary cap, in the process ensuring a greater
percentage of league revenues went to player salaries.
"Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride, and conviction. He was
the rare individual who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame both
for his accomplishments on the field and for his leadership of the players off
the field," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
"He fought hard for the players and always kept his focus on what was best for
the game. His leadership played a crucial role in taking the NFL and its
players to new heights.
"Gene's tremendous love of the game also showed in his wide-ranging support of
football at all levels. It is a sad day for the NFL, but Gene's positive
impact and legacy will live on for decades to come. All of us in the NFL
reach out with our sympathy to Terri and the Upshaw family."
The longtime union head has had his fair share of critics over the years,
however. Many former AFL and NFL players -- most who made a fraction of what
players are paid today -- have complained of poor disability benefits in
recent years.
Current players have also criticized Upshaw's management. An effort to oust
Upshaw as union head came to light in April, and the negotiation of another
deal looms for the union, which must now find a new executive director.
NFL owners, citing higher labor costs, among other complaints, voted in May to
opt out of the current agreement in 2011.
Upshaw is survived by his wife, Terri, and sons, Justin, Daniel and Eugene Jr.
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Big East Conference odds
Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence
 Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.
Work left to do:
Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.
Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.
DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...
West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.
Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.
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