He was the face and voice for the NFLPA, and had made it quite clear that he would oppose everything from a rookie salary cap to reinstating the salary cap itself in the upcoming CBA negotiations.

RIP for Upshaw because it's a shame any time someone has to suffer such a passing.

If the rumor is true, it actually helps small market teams like the Jaguars.  If the NFLPA selects a new leader who is more mindful of the current financial situation of the teams around the league, it may give the small market franchises a little breathing room.

Of course, they could also select a clone of Upshaw to replace him which would leave the divisiveness in place that we don't want to deal with.

Voted the #1 A-Hole on Jaguars.com Never argue with idіots. They drag you down to their level, & beat you with experience.

If this rumor is true, my deepest condolences to his friends and family.

I got Al Del Greco and Matt Prater fired, John Carney to miss the extra point, and Jason Elam to miss 2 field goals in one game. -- Arrow Man ---->>> Who Kickers Fear Founder, President & CEO Joe Zelenka Fan Club www.joeyzfanclub.com

RIP

The Mad Dog (2/24/2008) Had I started in 2003, This team would have seen a SB by now. Starting from right now, with the team in it's current state, I could have this team in a SB within 2 years/ seasons.

Like FBT siad....hopefully the new guy will be mindful of the league as a whole. I think/hope this will be the case, but have a gut feeling that will happen.

"I never set out to hurt anyone intentionally, unless it was you know, important, like in a game or something" -Butkus "Behind every good man is a good woman. Behind every good woman....is me"

That's real good FBT. Let's find a way to look at "the bright side" for the Jags through the death of such an influential figure such as Upshaw. Take a second and think of this man and his family during this time and not think of how a death benefits a small market team, because the silly game of football is MUCH MORE precious than human life.

You're a real class act.

It's just the truth of the reality. I sense no malice in in for FBT. He surely stated how much it sucks for anyone to pass, and in that type of circumstance no less. He stated what Upshaw was about as far as his job went and then stated how the new guy could really help the smaller market teams.

Simmer down. Everyone is so quick to jump these days.

"I never set out to hurt anyone intentionally, unless it was you know, important, like in a game or something" -Butkus "Behind every good man is a good woman. Behind every good woman....is me"

SFR reported it too, and apparently there's a second source (where PFT got their info.)

Apparently he and his family (presumably) kept it quiet while he battled it.

That really put the union in a tough position re: successorship.  He was "the man" and it doesn't seem like he had anyone groomed to replace him (that I'm aware of.)

This is a turning point.  Machine head missed the point entirely.  Losing Upshaw could have a profound impact on the NFL as we know it, with all that's on the players and owners tables right now that WILL affect everyone's future.  This is a VERY pivotal moment, and things may tip towards or even away from the small market teams' favor.  Since there's no obvious successor, who knows what will happen.

"I have to do a better job of throwing the ball downfield more when I have chances and not second-guess it. We just haven’t had the explosive plays like we had last year,” Garrard said. -10/10/08 The only defense against madness is the accord of your peers.  That is, if you can convince no one that your beliefs are well-founded, then it's probably you who are crazy, and not the herd. - Alexandre Kojeve