Posted by Dave on 08/25/08 at 09:48:36 am
Categories: Sports Ravings, Labor

Gene Upshaw, the President of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) died last week, bringing to end a 25+ year era.

Dave Zirin (the best sports writer around) has an article taking a look at what Upshaw accomplished.

Upshaw had his critics, most notably from a Mike Ditka led group of former players who did not feel that the Union had done enough to take care of the former players. Zirin finds that complaint without merit when one actually steps back and looks at the situation.

Upshaw oversaw a 25+ year period where the average salaries went from $125,000 to over $2 Million. He led the fight for free agency and an increased salary cap. He enabled these players to be set for life.

There is a lot of criticism of athletes and their high salaries, but let me point this out. The average player in NFL will have a career that lasts just three years.

Let me say that again. Just three years.

Further, these players have their bodies abused - constantly getting crushed by other bodies. They are pushed to play through injuries by their teams, teams that ignore the long-term ramifications of what it means to their bodies or even lives.

Now... don't get me wrong. These players are not poor. But there are many, many players who will make $400-500,000 over a three year career, have their body abused, and then have to retire. Their career will be over.

Are there some players who are overpaid? Absolutely.

But the abuse that these players take, combined with their incredibly short careers, make a strong union not just possible, but necessary.

Gene Upshaw helped make that happen. He was not perfect, but he played a significant role in building union strength against incredibly wealthy team owners who are making millions on the backs of these players.

Gene Upshaw will be missed.

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