There weren’t too many people more upset with Gene Upshaw than Tom Matte.
The former Baltimore Colts running back felt Upshaw, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman and the longtime executive director of the NFL Players Association, turned his back on his fellow retired players in need of medical insurance.
Still, Matte offered his condolences to Upshaw’s family upon hearing he died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Wedneday night. Upshaw, who was diagnosed this past Sunday, was 63.
“It’s a sad day for his family,” Matte said. “Gene did a tremendous job improving the lives of the players of today and those in the future. My only disagreement with him was how he treated the players of the past, the ones he played with.”
Upshaw, who played for the Oakland Raiders from 1967-81, was one of sport’s most polarizing figures. His supporters point out that since he took over the NFLPA in 1983, Upshaw helped usher in free agency, improved benefits and unparalled prosperity across the NFL.
“Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride, and conviction,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell 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.”
But Upshaw had his detractors, especially when it came to issue regarding retired players. Many retirees believe Upshaw didn’t do enough to provide care for those who sustained debilitating injuries, especially dementia, during their careers.
Upshaw also caused headlines with his confrontational style, including his criticsm of Ravens kicker Matt Stover, who suggested this spring that the NFLPA should develop a plan to find Upshaw’s successor.
Stover’s e-mail came after the owners in opted out of the collective bargaining agreement in May, which could lead to a season without a salary cap in 2010 and a lockout in 2011.
Upshaw announced he would hold a briefing on labor negotiations before the Sept. 4 season opener between Washington and the New York Giants.
“He was somebody who made hard decisions and sometimes they were very unpopular,” Stover said. “There’s been a lot of opposition to Gene, but he led like he felt like the union needed to be led and you can‚t fault the man for that.”
