Gene Upshaw
Gene Upshaw had one of the greatest careers in NFL history, and is highly regarded as the greatest Raider of all time. Upshaw would spend his entire career in the Silver and Black, playing from 1967 to 1981, and becoming the first player in NFL history to play in a Super Bowl in three different decades.
Most offensive linemen do not get a ton of respect and praise, but that was not the case with Gene Upshaw. He played the game the right way, and would go on to serve the league in an executive role later on in life.
The accolades poured in for Upshaw, as he was a two-time Super Bowl champion, six-time Pro Bowler, eight-time NFL All-Pro, three-time AFL All Pro, and a part of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All Time Team. Upon his death, Upshaw was shown the ultimate sign of respect, , as all 32 teams in the NFL would wear a patch that read “GU” on their jerseys.
In the history of the NFL, you would be hard-pressed to find a player who not only dominated on the field, but also made so many contributions off of it. Upshaw participated in so many memorable and historic games that it would be easy to fill ten episodes, as would his dealing during his time with the NFLPA.