Why do all the NFL players this year have a black disc with GU in white letters?

Gene Upshaw.

NFL players will wear a uniform patch this season to honor NFL Players' Association leader Gene Upshaw, who died Aug. 20. THE

NFL players will wear a uniform patch this season to honor NFL Players' Association leader Gene Upshaw, who died Aug. 20.

The league announced Monday that the patch will have the initials GU and the number 63, which he wore while playing for the Oakland Raiders.

Upshaw died of pancreatic cancer just three days after he was diagnosed.

The patch will be worn on the left chest of jerseys and is scheduled to make its debut Thursday, when the New York Giants and Washington Redskins open the season. Upshaw's wife, Terri, and his three sons will participate in the coin toss.

Upshaw made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 as the first player to play guard exclusively. He won two Super Bowls and made seven Pro Bowls in his 307-game NFL career.

He served 25 years as the executive director of the union from 1983 until his death.

The Raiders also will honor Upshaw in their opening game on Sept. 8 with a video tribute, and a replica of the uniform patch will be painted on the field in Oakland and at the Meadowlands.

"Gene was a truly unique, one-of-a-kind contributor to the NFL," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "No one in our game has ever combined Gene's level of achievement both as a Hall of Fame player and as an executive leader. No one did more for NFL players than Gene Upshaw. He deserves our everlasting respect and thanks."

Gene Upshaw, NFL Players Association Executive Director, passed this summer. He has accomplished tremendous gains for the players and the league, and was also a Hall of Fame lineman for the Oakland Raiders, as well as a teammate of John Madden, who has known him for over 40 years. John made the statement this week that no one person has done more for the NFL in its history. Gene's widow Terri provided the pregame coin flip for the season opener on Thursday, along with their children. All the teams will wear the patch - and it is also featured outside the hashmarks at midfield in each of the stadiums. A fitting tribute for a tireless worker and straight shooter who performed well in every aspect of his career.

It's a tribute to Gene Upshaw, who recently passed away. 63 was his number when he played for the Raiders.

Gene Upshaw

Raiders guard

NFLPA Union Executive

Its for Gene Upshaw. One of the best o-linemen ever and the former leader of the player's union.

It's for Gene Upshaw, the union main man and former player (Oakland Raiders) that died a few weeks ago.

please answer my question

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gene upshaw