Tag Archives: NFLPA

AFL, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Upshaw, Gene ‘Uptown Gene’ (1945-2008)

Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991, #8

CARD: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991
ACQUIRED: EBay, 2023

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Gene Upshaw played OL for Texas A&I from 1963-’66.
  • He was selected by Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1967 draft.
  • Considered one of the finest OL to ever play, was a fixture at OG for the Raiders for 16 seasons.
  • Has numerous distinctions on resume, including being the first player to appear in a Super Bowl in 3 different decades, and most consecutive starts to begin NFL career (231).
  • Offensive team captain for 9 seasons (1973-’81).
  • Was a firsthand witness to many of the NFL’s most memorable games such as the Ghost to the Post, The Sea of Hands, and the Holly Roller.
  • During NFL career became extremely active in union activity with the NFLPA, eventually ascending to Executive Director.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • All Pro 1970, ’74, ’77
  • Second Team All Pro 1971-’73, ’75
  • Pro Bowl 1972-’77
  • All AFL All Star 1968
  • NFL All Decade Team 1970s
  • Byron Whizzer White Award 1980
  • NFL 75th Anniversary Team
  • NFL 100th Anniversary Team
  • Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
  • 1982 A. Phillip Randolph Award

NOTES:

Gene had long passed by the time I got around to this set, so I thought it’d be a challenge to get any of the deceased players. Much to my amazement his autograph showed up a few years ago on EBay on this exact card- but I forgot to place a bid and missed out on it. I was kicking myself for quite a while on it until this one popped up at the same time Willie Davis appeared. I pulled the trigger on both and was able to add both of them to my collection.

It should be noted that Gene’s autograph… is upside down.

EPITAPH:

9/20/2008- Gene passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer, surrounded by friends and family at the Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA. He was 63.

After his passing his family established a foundation in his name, and an annual golf tournament to help cover patient and family costs, at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center.

NFL

Harrison, Nolan

Card: GameDay 1992
Acquired: In Person, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp 1993

Indiana University is not really known as a hotbed of football talent- but the Raiders took a chance on Nolan Harrison in the 6th round of the 1991 draft as a possible replacement for star defensive end Howie Long or Greg Townsend. In the meantime the Raiders would utilize him also at defensive tackle, until 1994 when he’d get a career high 5 sacks at left defensive end. Nolan would sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1997, and play there through 1999 making 7.5 sacks and then close out his career with the Washington Redskins in 2000. As a player, Nolan’s strength would be his high motor and flexibility along the defensive line providing invaluable depth for 10 seasons.

Since retiring Harrison has remained extremely active in NFLPA activities, serving on a variety of boards, financial management, and being a motivational speaker. In 2010, Nolan was named Senior Director of Former Player Affairs and he and former Raider Dave Pear have also squared off on disability and retirement benefits over the last few months.

On top of the possible 2011 NFL strike, there’s actually another party involved in the labor dispute that must not be ignored- those retired players that paved the way for the rest of the league’s success. Many former players who did not live on the ballooned million dollar contracts and on a pittance of severance sacrificed their bodies for our entertainment and now their pain and problems are largely ignored by the league. While Nolan has made some contact with Dave Pear- it remains to be seen whether or not our former greats are treated with the respect they deserve.  You can follow Nolan on twitter at: http://twitter.com/NolanHarrison74.

G/Gs  128/83      Tac 199      Sac 22.0     Fum 5      Int 0     Yds 0     Avg  -.-      Td 0      Lg 0