Gene Upshaw Jr. was born on August 15, 1945, in Robstown, Texas. He grew up there and graduated from Robstown High School. Upshaw played college football at Texas A&I University. After college, he joined the Oakland Raiders as an offensive guard. He played for the Raiders for 15 years in both the AFL and NFL. He reached the Super Bowl three times, in 1967, 1976, and 1980, making him the first NFL player to do so with the same team in three decades. Upshaw was selected for multiple Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. After retiring from playing, he became the executive director of the NFL Players Association. In that role, he led labor negotiations and fought for players’ rights. Upshaw remained connected to his roots in Robstown through his early life and work ethic. He died in 2008 from pancreatic cancer. The NFL honored him by wearing patches with his initials during the 2008 season. His legacy continues as a player and union leader who impacted professional football.
Eugene Thurman Upshaw Jr. was born on August 15, 1945, in Robstown, Texas. He grew up there and graduated from Robstown High School. Upshaw played college football at Texas A&I University. After college, he joined the Oakland Raiders as an offensive guard. He played for the Raiders for 15 years in both the AFL and NFL. He reached the Super Bowl three times, in 1967, 1976, and 1980, making him the first NFL player to do so with the same team in three decades. Upshaw was selected for multiple Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. After retiring from playing, he became the executive director of the NFL Players Association. In that role, he led labor negotiations and fought for players’ rights. Upshaw remained connected to his roots in Robstown through his early life and work ethic. He died in 2008 from pancreatic cancer. The NFL honored him by wearing patches with his initials during the 2008 season. His legacy continues as a player and union leader who impacted professional football.
The Oakland Raiders selected Gene Upshaw with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft.
Gene Upshaw was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his first year of eligibility.
