Gene Upshaw, Pro Football Hall of Famer and longtime executive director of the NFL Players Association, has died at age 63, according to NFL.com. The former offensive lineman was battling pancreatic cancer. In a statement on its website, the NFLPA made the following statement: "We are deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden and unexpected death of our leader, Gene Upshaw. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Terri, and their three sons ? Eugene, Justin and Daniel. Gene learned he was sick just this past Sunday and he died with his family at his side. We ask that the media respect our need to begin the process of dealing with this unexpected tragedy and to begin the grieving process."