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August 21, 2008
Jerry Richardson on Upshaw
In a prepared statement, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson had this to say about the sudden death of NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw:
“Gene Upshaw was a friend and adviser, whose legacy in the National Football League will be memorable and enduring. As an organization, we sought his counsel and his advice was always most helpful. He was dedicated to the League’s players and cared about them on every level. Gene was respected, and he was also respectful. He was a man of his word, a strong leader, and played a prominent role in the growth of the game. Our sympathies are with his family.”
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on August 21, 2008 at 02:49 PM | Permalink
Comments
Upshaw was an articulate, agressive, intellectual giant. There is no question that when it comes to major professional sports, the members of the NFLPA have been far better served than their counterparts.
Despite the public outcrys from under-educated, ignorant loudmouths like Joey D. ("never go against the family Joe...ever") Upshaw was always a stand-up guy.
Several false impressions from loud arse Delamelier:
1)Does somebody who retired from NCNB in 1982 get near the same pension as someone who got out in 2002? Who is to blame for the passage of time and new collective bargaining agreements?
2) Upshaw's job was specifically to protect the interests ($) of the members of the association he worked for (ACTIVE PLAYERS). The redistribution of wealth that Ditka and Delamalier advocate is very socialist and anti-American.
Posted by: Briscoe | Aug 22, 2008 7:44:44 AM
So former players should not be entitled to any benefits from the players union?
Posted by: matt | Aug 22, 2008 8:28:17 AM
First it's DeLamielleure! NCNB??
Joe d is only trying to look out for the early players who basically had their bodies ruined by Owners who looked at players as commodities. Yes, they chose to play, but if you ever go to a hall of fame induction and see the guys with Alzheimer's from concussions or that can't walk, you'll understand. When the old guys go, the FL won't even pay their plane fare. This is a multi BILLION dollar industry. C'mon, socialist? Anti-american? I guess when someone in your family needs help you'll say hey, you should planned better and turn them out on the street. I'm glad I'm not on your family and that I don't even know you! You make me puke!
Posted by: Not an idiot like Briscoe | Aug 22, 2008 9:21:39 AM
Well said! On that note, it's not called the land of opportunity for naught... at least if you're fortunate enough (or have the lineage) to be one of the people calling the shots, that is. I'm sure the limping legends would agree.
Sure the middle classes got bigger in the 50's, 60's & 70's, but all of that began to change as soon as the Yale elite started taking over.
Anyway, how did this get to be a political site. Let's get back to football! After all, we need something to cheer for....
...which brings me back to those pesky character issue types that play in the NFL....
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 22, 2008 7:06:22 PM
*BTW, things were still good in the 80's!
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 22, 2008 7:07:38 PM
Come on...you clearly have neither never played professional sports nor have had a family member in the profession. Kudos to the guys & gals who can make it work today-they will never have to live a 'normal' life. Every professional athlete should give their thanks to the warriors who didn't have the union because of the owners; those former players who have supported the current or past players who supported the strike of '85 and the daily commercialism of sports via cable and the internet. The mega players of the 1950's, 60's and mid-70's had to work in the offseason and have little benefit for their efforts. They support the current players all day long-too bad it doesn't go both ways. Talk to me after you've spent a day speaking with a 50+ year old former NFL player who played OUTDOORS for 10 years and wore a suspension helmut; wore Riddel cleats and played on astroturf stretched out on asphalt. They earned it every day!
Posted by: UnBriscoe | Aug 22, 2008 7:15:06 PM
Yup!
Joe D. called out the wrong guy in the wrong way. It was never an issue till it was HIS generation's issue! Also note that the attempted overthrow of Upshaw was unsuccessful.
I admit bias, as Gene was a friend of mine! Joe D. makes me puke.
Posted by: Briscoe | Aug 22, 2008 7:18:27 PM
Briscoe, come on, Joe D. showed alot of respect by saying that "The reality of life for all the guys who played in the NFL, including Gene, is that we have a short life span. It's just the way it is," he said. "I have sympathy for his family. I have sympathy for his wife and children."
Posted by: matt | Aug 22, 2008 7:54:17 PM
Here comes another conpiracy theory, but doesn't there some to be alot of mysterious deaths to NFL related people lately? For example:
http://www.theredzone.org/absolutenm/templates/template.asp?articleid=651&zoneid=1
And there have been a couple of others that escape me right now. Anyway, I guess "Not For Long" is taking on a new meaning!
To quote matt who quoted Joe D...
"The reality of life for all the guys who played in the NFL, including Gene, is that we have a short life span..."
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 22, 2008 8:59:30 PM
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