Eugene Upshaw

Eugene Thurman Upshaw Jr. (August 15, 1945 – August 20, 2008) was an American professional football guard who played for the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League (AFL) and later the National Football League (NFL). Born in Robstown, Texas, he graduated from Robstown High School and played college football at the NAIA program Texas A&I University, now known as Texas A&M University–Kingsville.

After playing several offensive line positions in college, Upshaw settled at left guard for the Raiders, a position he held across 15 years in the AFL and NFL. During that span he appeared in three Super Bowls, reaching the game in the 1967, 1976, and later seasons. He remains the only player in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl with the same team in three different decades.

Following his playing career, Upshaw served as executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.