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The NFL mourns the lost of one the greats.  Gene Upshaw dies of cancer at the age of 63.  Upshaw played 15 years with the Oakland Raiders and was a seven time pro ball player. Upshaw was the players representive and brought free agency to the NFL.  After seeing sports like baseball and basketball making good money due free agency.  Upshaw thought it was the players best intrest to make sure NFL players get free agency.  Upshaw was part of a strike that help uplift player salaries from 90,000 to 1.75 million. In 1987 Upshaw was elected into the Hall of Fame. Upshaw who has helped the current players do very well, but was criticzed on how he treated the veterans in the past. Former players were not too happy with Upshaw and the way he was handling the insurance policy and financially of ex-NFL players.  There were several ex-players who were upset with Upshaw and there were even and organization named the NFLGRIDIRONGREATS.  Which one of the spokesperson was Mike Ditka.  Ditka was so passion about this cause, Ditka went to even boycott the Hall of fame ceremonies.  But no matter what you may think of Upshaw he left his mark on this sport.  And by many in the NFL was respected and that’s all we can ask for at the end of the day, RESPECT.