Gene Upshaw - Class of 1987

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Upshaw <i>(second from right)</i> joined fellow Raiders Hall of Famers Jim Otto and Art Shell in Oakland when former coach John Madden received his Hall of Fame ring in 2006.

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Gene Upshaw's Hall of Fame mural.

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Gene Upshaw's Hall of Fame bust.

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Gene Upshaw addressed the new Class of Hall of Famers at the exclusive Nitschke Luncheon on Friday, August 1, 2008.

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Upshaw played in an incredible 307 preseason, regular season, and post-season contests. Included in his 24 post-season games were three AFL and seven AFC championship games and Super Bowls II, XI and XV.

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League honors were a mainstay of Gene's career. He was named first- or second-team All-League or All-Conference 11 consecutive years, and he was named to play in seven Pro Bowls.

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In honor of Gene Upshaw the flag flies at half staff in front of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Gene Upshaw, a member of the Hall's Class of 1987, receives his gold Hall of Fame blazer at the Enshrinees Civic Dinner.

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Upshaw poses with his presenter, Raiders owner Al Davis, following his induction speech.

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Players often looked to Gene for advice and his attitudes were quickly recognized by the Raiders coaching Staff. When John Madden became the team's head coach in 1969 he quickly installed Gene as his team captain. A position Gene held for eight seasons.

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A center, tackle, and end in college, the Raiders quickly moved Upshaw to the guard position where he excelled for 15 seasons.

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Gene Upshaw from Texas A&I was the Oakland Raiders number one draft choice in 1967.

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As the teams's left guard, Upshaw had the responsibility of getting out in front to lead the rushing convoys and to clear whatever might loom in tthe path of the ball carrier.