Although I might be too young to remember his playing days, as a football fan and a football writer, I have seen the affect that Gene Upshaw has had on the NFL. I know that Upshaw has had a lot to do with the way things are going in the NFL today, particularly with how much players are paid and how revenue generated by the NFL is divided. I remember him discussing labor negotiations just a few short years ago, making regular appearances on the NFL Network to talk about the situation. While I may not have understood what he was trying to do at the time, it has much clearer for me now.
I now realize that Upshaw has had a lot to do with what has happened to the NFL since he took over as the head of the Players Union. Having the insight that a former NFL player should have, he knew what was best for the players and used his experience and forethought to help those that played the game get their fair share of the huge profits that the league was bringing in. He also had the insight to undertake many different initiatives while he was in charge.
Today’s NFL players should thank Upshaw for all that he has done for them. He not only helped increase the pay that players are getting but he also helped increase the amount of revenue that teams and players get through the marketing of licensed NFL products. Knowing that selling licensed products would be a way to generate a lot of revenue, Upshaw saw this as way to earn more money across the board. Upshaw also saw free agency as a way for players to not only earn more money but to also change teams and quite possibly win a championship (with the right team of course). This was revolutionary.
His leadership and caring for the league’s players should be well noticed and he should be remembered for what he accomplished for NFL players.
Upshaw should also be recognized for his on the field accomplishments as well. He was the only player to have played in a Super Bowl in three decades. Upshaw had many other on the field accomplishments as well and was one of the best players of his time.
Upshaw’s impact on the league will surely be felt for several decades but now, in his absence, a big hole has opened up for both the NFL and it’s players and things aren’t going to be getting any easier. With a huge labor disagreement looming, whoever steps in for Upshaw has their work cut out for them. It’s going to be a long and messy road.
The man known as Eugene Upshaw has left his mark on an institution that has grown to become the biggest and most popular organized sporting league in the world. No other sport garners as much attention, press and fan support as the NFL does. And if you think about the people that brought the NFL to the current stage of popularity that they are at (i.e. Pete Rozelle, Paul Tagliabue, George Halas etc) you now have to include Upshaw as one of those people. He contributed a lot to the NFL and to so many others. He will be missed.
By Brian Dietzler
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