Kevin Mawae, the president of the NFLPA, had a few words to say about the death of his boss Gene Upshaw. Like everyone else, Mawae was shocked by his death and and listed the things that made Upshaw a great player and union leader. Mawae criticized Upshaw right before the draft, saying that more than one veteran player was upset with the rookie salary scale and that it needed to be addressed. Unlike his predecessor Troy Vincent who also criticized Upshaw, Mawae kept his job.
Mawae's comments from the Tennessean:
The death of NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw came as a shock to just about everyone, including Titans center Kevin Mawae.
Mawae, president of the NFLPA, on Thursday called Upshaw a great friend and mentor, and said he’ll be missed. People can say what they want to say about Gene - there were some people that didn't like him - but Gene always told you the truth,’’ Mawae said. “Gene got the job done is what it boiled down to. His legacy will go on forever. He was a great player, obviously, being in the Hall of Fame, but he was also a great leader to the NFLPA. The things that we have accomplished over the past and the things that we are establishing now are a great deal because of what Gene has done."Mawae spent a good deal of his day on Thursday on the phone with the executive committee, which voted unanimously to make NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen the interim executive director. He also talked with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about ways the NFL plans to honor Upshaw this season.The two discussed players wearing a patch on their uniforms, or a decal. There’s also expected to be a moment of silence at preseason games this weekend. Mawae said he learned about Upshaw’s death during an early morning phone call.Like so many others, he had previously been unaware that Upshaw had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last weekend after feeling sick. Mawae became an NFL team rep 10 years ago, and became president of the NFL this past offseason."For me he has been a friend, a mentor and a leader in my life the last 10 years. The untimely passing of Gene Upshaw is a huge loss to not just myself but to the players of the NFL and to the NFL in general. But more important it is a loss to his family,’’ Mawae said.“Gene was a great person, a great player and a great man, and I feel fortunate and blessed to be able to serve underneath him ... It's a big loss.''
Mawae, president of the NFLPA, on Thursday called Upshaw a great friend and mentor, and said he’ll be missed. People can say what they want to say about Gene - there were some people that didn't like him - but Gene always told you the truth,’’ Mawae said. “Gene got the job done is what it boiled down to. His legacy will go on forever. He was a great player, obviously, being in the Hall of Fame, but he was also a great leader to the NFLPA. The things that we have accomplished over the past and the things that we are establishing now are a great deal because of what Gene has done."Mawae spent a good deal of his day on Thursday on the phone with the executive committee, which voted unanimously to make NFLPA general counsel Richard Berthelsen the interim executive director. He also talked with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about ways the NFL plans to honor Upshaw this season.The two discussed players wearing a patch on their uniforms, or a decal. There’s also expected to be a moment of silence at preseason games this weekend. Mawae said he learned about Upshaw’s death during an early morning phone call.Like so many others, he had previously been unaware that Upshaw had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last weekend after feeling sick. Mawae became an NFL team rep 10 years ago, and became president of the NFL this past offseason."For me he has been a friend, a mentor and a leader in my life the last 10 years. The untimely passing of Gene Upshaw is a huge loss to not just myself but to the players of the NFL and to the NFL in general. But more important it is a loss to his family,’’ Mawae said.“Gene was a great person, a great player and a great man, and I feel fortunate and blessed to be able to serve underneath him ... It's a big loss.''
3 comments:
that was a kewl trib write up. alot of people did not like upshaw , this whole thing is just sad!
It was all Kevin Mawae, I just read it and put it up for others to read. Mawae is a total class guy and a leader that any team can use, even with his disputes with Upshaw he comes across as a guy who cares. I need to learn how to do that, it's a great skill.
I need to learn how to do that, it's a great skill.
u don't, you do care & prove it everyday~ya dig ;0
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