KINGSVILLE---Gene Upshaw, one of the best-known athletes produced by a Texas A&M-Kingsville (formerly Texas A&I) football program that has had numerous outstanding players, has died at 63.

According to a release from the NFL Players Association, which Upshaw headed as executive director, he “learned he was sick just this past Sunday and he died with his family at his side.”

His death came at his home in Lake Tahoe, Calif.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of Gene’s passing,” Scott Gines, director of athletics at Upshaw’s alma mater, said.  “The body of his life work reflects his Javelina career---both as a player and graduate.  Beginning as a walk-on with big dreams and great intensity, Gene developed and became a cornerstone of Javelina football greatness.

“His life work portrays the value of opportunity and development, which are the core and purpose of Javelina athletics and Texas A&M-Kingsville.

“The legacy he leaves is not only a mark of greatness on the field, but marks of leadership as a lifelong learner and an advocate for solidarity across all cultures.  We will miss him dearly.”

Upshaw, a native of Robstown, was a member of the Javelina teams in 1963-66 and was coached by legendary Gil Steinke, who had one of the most successful coaching careers in collegiate football history.

Upshaw was an All-Lone Star Conference performer at Texas A&I and participated in the Coaches All-America game, the Senior Bowl and the College All-Star game after concluding his collegiate career.

He was a captain in the College All-Star contest.

Upshaw was a member of the Javelina track and field team and set the school record in the shot put. He was a member of the “T” Association, the Javelina letterwinners organization.
The Javelina standout was a first-round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders after finishing his college career.

He spent his 16 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders and was a key player in the team’s two Super Bowl victories.  He made seven Pro Bowl appearances.

Upshaw was named to the all-time Texas All-Pro team in 1975. This list included Texans who were selected by a state-wide vote as the best to ever play professional football.
He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his first year of eligibility.  The annual award for top NCAA Division II offensive lineman is named after Upshaw.  He is also a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Javelina Hall of Fame and the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor.

In Oakland, he played in 217 league games and was named the AFC Lineman of the Year in 1973 and 1974.  In 1977, he was voted the top lineman in the NFL and he was runner-up for the honor in 1980.
He is the only NFL player to appear in three Super Bowls in three different decades.

Upshaw was a Raider team captain and served as an NFLPA player representative and officer for 13 years.
Upshaw has been called one of the top sports figures in the world as executive director of the NFL Players Association.  He took over the position in 1983 and helped the NFL players receive free agency in 1993.
“Gene shows the same level of ability at the NFLPA that he had shown on the field,” Paul Tagliabue, former commissioner of the NFL, said before his retirement.

“Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride and conviction,” Roger Goodell, current NFL commissioner, said.  “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.  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.”

Upshaw received the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award for outstanding contributions to team, community and country.  He was honored with the A. Phillip Randolph Award in 1982 for significant accomplishments as one of the outstanding black leaders in America.

He was listed 13th in the top 100 most powerful people in sports in 1983 by The Sporting News.

Upshaw received a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&I in 1968.

Upshaw and his wife, Terri, have two sons, Justin and Daniel, and he has a son, Eugene Jr., from a previous marriage.

-TAMUK-