Pour some out for Gene. Pour some out for the Yay.

08.21.2008 | 12:47 pm | Great Beards in History, Pogonophobia, Town Business

Yesterday, the great Gene Upshaw died of cancer (only diagnosed the week before) at his home in Tahoe. With his passing we lost more then a Raider great. We lost a little swagger.

NFL Players Association aside, I cannot help but remember the man as player. His patented mean mugs and the excessive amount of tape that encircled his arms. Along with Art Shell, the Alpha Phi Alpha was the heart, soul and the essence of the Oakland franchise. Gene was firmly at the core of the Raiders “winning tradition” and the Silver and Black’s menacing pirate identity.

While Gene himself never put points on the board, the offensive team captain unflinchingly protected, and cut a wide berth, for all those that did.

Plainly speaking, the dude was a winner. And so he helped make the Bay a winner too. Playing in three Super Bowls, over three decades, all for one team. His fearsome play (and tremendous stache), represented Tha Town for the entire 15 seasons he played the game. And, in all that time, Gene only missed one game. Upsheezy was ‘bout it. A true gladiator.

So, Gene, thank you. You inspired us. From the great Mall of Eastmont, to the Valleys of Vacaville, to the furthest reaches of the County named Contra Costa. Yes, you inspired a multitude of backyard BBQ’s, pumped fists, high-fives and countless cries of “OH, HELL YEAH!”

FTB salutes the indomitable competitor, who brought boldness, self-assurance and a winner’s poise on many-a-Sunday (and some Mondays), from 1967 to 1982.

RIP Mr. Upshaw.

Fellahs, pour a little out for Gene. For his family. For the players he represented. And Yay Area too.

Gd.

Now, make the jump for a little memory lane.

NFL’s best offensive line: