Gene Upshaw, 1945-2008. R.I.P.

Gene Upshaw, the Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, has died at the age of 63. Upshaw just turned 63 on August 15th. Two days later Upshaw was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Three days later he's gone.

Pancreatic cancer kills fast. Symptoms seldom present early on and by the time you know something's wrong the cancer has metastatized and it's too late.

Prior to becoming involved in players union, Upshaw had a brilliant NFL career with the Oakland Raiders playing on three Super Bowl teams. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.