DeMaurice Smith depicted with Gene Upshaw in the background

NFL Player's Union president Gene Upshaw speaks with the media on Pro Bowl Media Day before the AFC's 23-20 overtime...

NFLPA Press Conference PHOENIX - JANUARY 31: Executive director of the National Football League Players Association Gene Upshaw speaks to the media during a news conference prior to Super Bowl XLII at the Phoenix...

Gene Upshaw, executive counsel of the NFL Players Association, gestures during their annual Super Bowl news conference Thursday...

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association Gene Upshaw arrives on Fox's Super Bowl XLII red carpet on February 3, 2008 at University of...

Gene Upshaw

Executive director of the National Football League Players Association Gene Upshaw speaks to the media during a news conference prior to Super Bowl XLII at the Phoenix...

MIAMI BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 1: Gene Upshaw of the NFL Players Association answers questions along with Troy Vincent during the press conference at...

...a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee with NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw (L) and Pro Football Hall of Fame player and Coach Mike Ditka (C) on Capitol Hill...

Former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, right, talks with Gene Upshaw, executive director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday...

...accompanied by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, center, and National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Director Gene Upshaw, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, before the Senate Commerce Committee hearing...

...L-R) Gene Upshaw and Michael Vick

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw, talk to reporters after meeting in Washington, Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Gene Upshaw

Gene Upshaw