NFL Hall of Famer and NFL Player Association president Gene Upshaw died of pancreatic cancer last night.

NFL commissioner and Bronxville native Roger Goodell had this to say about Upshaw’s passing.

“Gene Upshaw did everything with great dignity, pride, and conviction,” Goodell said in a statement. “He was the rare individual who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame both for his accomplishments on the field and for his leadership of the players off the field. He fought hard for the players and always kept his focus on what was best for the game. His leadership played a crucial role in taking the NFL and its players to new heights. Gene’s tremendous love of the game also showed in his wide-ranging support of football at all levels. It is a sad day for the NFL, but Gene’s positive impact and legacy will live on for decades to come. All of us in the NFL reach out with our sympathy to Terri and the Upshaw family.”

Jets owner Woody Johnson released a statement this hour about the loss.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gene Upshaw,” Johnson said. “He was a giant in the NFL since entering the league in 1967, first as a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, then as an active member of the collective bargaining process in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and finally as the Executive Director of the NFLPA. Gene continually served in the best interests of the game of football. He played a colossal role in the success the NFL enjoys today, even more than many people realize.”

Jets FB Tony Richardson is on the NFLPA board and said that Upshaw could be funny in private, just one of the guys, and he was never one to advertise his status as a Hall of Famer.

“Hopefully every player in this locker room recognizes they’re a lot better for having Gene as their leader,” Richardson said. “I mean, he’s done so much. I think everone in this locker room to a man can say that they benefitted from his leadership. I think the league has benefitted from his leadership. Salaries, it is what it is, and I think our game is better for his leadership and he’s definitely going to be missed.”

Like Richardson, most players were shocked when they heard the news.

“It was a big surprise, I don’t know if anybody knew what the situation was,” said G Alan Faneca, who was a player representative in Pittsburgh for two years.