NFL Union Chief Under Fire for Comment

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/06/09/ap/sports/football/d8piu3gg0.txt

NFL Union Chief Under Fire for Comment

By MIKE CRANSTON Saturday, June 09, 2007

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - NFL union head Gene Upshaw has never been one to hide his emotions. An ex-NFL player thinks this time he's gone too far.

Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure said he takes literally remarks Upshaw made that he'd like to "break his ... damn neck"


NFL union chief Gene Upshaw answers questions during a press conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla., in this Feb. 1, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

"He is the head of a union. He has the wherewithal to do it," DeLamielleure said Tuesday.

Upshaw made the comments last week to the Philadelphia Daily News. DeLamielleure, a former guard who was part of Buffalo's "Electric Company" offensive line in the 1970s, believes Upshaw has ignored the needs of former players.

"Our pensions stink," the 56-year-old DeLamielleure said.

He and fellow Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and Lem Barney held a pre-Super Bowl news conference in February to air those concerns.

FULL story at link.