Upshaw Died of Virulent Form of Cancer

Dr. Thom Mayer, medical director for the NFL Players Association, called with some more information on the death of Gene Upshaw. He wanted to clarify a few things at the request of Upshaw's widow, Terri.

Mayer said that Upshaw had not had a long battle with pancreatic cancer, as some reports are saying. He died quickly, Mayer said, "of a particularly virulent form" of the disease. Upshaw was a tough former offensive lineman who, Mayer pointed out, not only never missed a game, but never missed a down. Although he'd complained of back pain to Mayer several weeks ago-- "and that concerned me," Mayer said--he kept going until he became run down and tired. On Sunday, he went to the hospital, where it was discovered that his kidneys were failing and tests were performed. Upshaw returned to his Truckee, Calif., home and the cancer diagnosis was formed Monday and "into Tuesday," Mayer said. According to Mayer, he went "into a nosedive" on Wednesday.

"He went the way he would have wanted, very quickly," Mayer said.

By Cindy Boren |  August 21, 2008; 2:01 PM ET  | Category:  Upshaw
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Posted by: Lee | August 21, 2008 3:05 PM

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