Sports Business Journal reports that Upshaw made $6.7 million last year, more than double his salary from the year before and clearly establishing him as the most highly paid union chief in all of sports. (And, frankly, he'd have to rank in the top five in the country all together. One hopes, anyway.) This now makes his incompetence make more sense. He can't understand why retired players are so upset ... but he's a retired player, and look how he's doing! What are all those guys complaining about?

Oh, sure, Mr. Goodell, I'd be happy to fetch you your moccasins.

Upshaw's Compensation At Least $6.7M [Sports Business Journal]
Is Gene Upshaw Gonna Have To Choke A Bitch? [Deadspin]

We can now confirm this is not inherently true: Sometimes Upshaw is let off his leash so he can go break some dude's neck.

Upshaw has been taking some (justifiable) heat for not properly supporting retired players. The most vocal critic has been Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure. Upshaw has a few words for him.

"A guy like DeLamielleure says the things he said about me; you think I'm going to invite him to dinner? No. I'm going to break his ...damn neck," Upshaw was quoted as saying by the Daily News.

Upshaw has been known for years as ineffectual, but he's also renowned for flying off the handle and saying radically inappropriate things. The NFL, particularly commissioner Roger Goodell, certainly loves this; anything that discredits Upshaw just further allows Goodell to run rampant over his players. Meanwhile, DeLamielleure, no dummy, says he's taking the threat seriously.

"My wife was petrified. We grew up in Detroit. You know what unions are. You hear about it. She goes, `Hey, this guy is a head of a union, a powerful union, and (when) he makes a threat like that, you'd better take it serious.' I'm not afraid of Upshaw, but he has the means to do what he said."

This happens all the time in sports unions; saying Donald Fehr's name has often conjured up images of Keyser Soze in the minds of anyone who dare challenge him. Go get 'em, Gene: Do your players proud. After all, nothing makes a football player happier than thinking about broken necks.

Upshaw Threat Taken Seriously [Charlotte Observer]

Several retired players and chapter presidents have started blogs to communicate with their brethren about perceived problems with the pension system and other issues that are affecting former NFLers. In a recent memo, the NFLPA said that any retired chapter found guilty of "conduct detrimental to the union's best interests" may be dissolved.

Bruce Laird, president of the chapter of retired Baltimore Colts, says he got the message loud and clear. "I think it's a warning over the bow that if ... other people want to speak out for representation in the NFL, it's looked upon unfavorably."

It makes sense that Upshaw would want to quiet anyone who might point out that no ex-athletes have it worse than NFL players. (Save for boxers, but don't expect them to unionize anytime soon.) And what better way to consolidate power than threatening to shutdown Blogspot sites. Fight the real enemy, Gene.

The Blog Is Mightier Than The Sword [The Feed]
NFL Retirees Blog

Before he cleans out his office, have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch.

If Gumbel wanted out of the job, he may have received his wish. It also would have been fun to have had Gumbel make that comment 25 years ago. Because we've never seen a broadcaster stretched like circus taffy.

By the way, so it's know that we said it: Gene Upshaw really is horrible. Freelance writers have a better union.

NFL Network To Discuss Gumbel Comment [SFGate]