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Why is GU on football helmets?

Updated: 9/27/2023
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15y ago

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NFL players wore the initials GU to honor Gene Upshaw, former Oakland Raiders player and Hall of Fame member. He was the executive director of the NFL Player's Association when he passed away on August 20, 2008. Every player in the league wore his initials on their helmets throughout the 2008 season.

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14y ago
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The GU stands for Gene Upshaw, the HOF Raiders offensive lineman and long-time NFLPA Chief Executive. He died in August at age 63 of pancreatic cancer, but the 63 on the patch denotes his number as a player. In honor of Gene Upshaw, the entire NFL will wear a black "GU" patch for the 2008-09 season. During Opening week 2008 there was also a patch on the Field, it was only for the first game of the season.

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GU stands for Gene Upshaw. He died and in his honor, the NFL has announced that for the 2008-2009 season, every player will wear a "GU" patch. ***** Eugene Thurman Upshaw, Jr. (a.k.a. Uptown Gene) (August 15, 1945 - August 20, 2008) was an American football player for the Oakland Raiders and executive director of the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA). In 1987, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While on vacation in mid-August 2008 at his home in Lake Tahoe, Upshaw began to feel ill. His wife Terri noticed that his breathing was labored, so she convinced him to go to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on August 17. On August 20, Upshaw died with Terri and his sons Eugene III, Justin, and Daniel by his side. In his honor, the NFL has announced that for the 2008-2009 season, every player will wear a "GU" patch, also with Gene's number 63; for the opening games of the season, the "GU" and "63" are inscribed on the field. However, during week 2 of the 2008 NFL season, the "GU 63" patch was replaced by a helmet decal on all NFL players. Only the Oakland Raiders will wear a jersey patch for the entire season. He died at the age of 63. Coincidentally, the jersey number he wore during his Hall of Fame career was 63, and he graduated from college in 1963.

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14y ago

Gene Upshaw. He was the player union boss before he passed away.

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It stands for Gene Upshaw, president of the NFL Players Association, who died just before the season.

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Gene Upshaw, the president of the NFLPA (National Football League Players' Association)

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In 2008 the NFL placed the "GU" decals on the back of each player's helmet in honor of Gene Upshaw, a retired player and the head of the NFLPA who passed on recently.

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It is for the late Gene Upshaw

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Gene Upshaw

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Related questions

What does GU stand for on football helmets?

Gene Upshaw


What is GU on football helmets?

The GU stands for Gene Upshaw's initials. Gene Upshaw was the Exectutive director of the NFL players association. Gene died August 20 2008.


In football what does the GU on the helments?

It stands for Gene Upshaw if you are talking about the GU on the NFL player's helmets. He just died in 2008 and was the president of the player's committee. He also used to play for the Oakland Raiders


What is the significance of the GU on football helmets?

It is for Gene Upshaw, a former player and president of the NFLPA. He is credited with doing a great deal for NFL players. He died earlier this year.


What is GU at the Pats game?

The GU sticker on the helmets acknowledges the passing of Gene Upshaw, a former NFL player and head of the Players Union.


Are football helmets safe?

no


What were the first pads in football?

I have read in a book that the first football pads were leather helmets and that was it. No other pads but leather helmets.


Decals on football helmets?

I'm not quite sure what this question means. Football helmets normally do have decals and it is ok for them to have decals.


Are American football players poofs coz of the helmets?

the helmets protect them a lot


What teams have decals on helmets?

Lots of sports teams but manly football helmets.


What were 1920 helmets made of?

Football and aviation (pilot) helmets were constructed of leather.


How do football helmets help?

Helmets are designed to protect an football players head from a collision on the football field. With concussions be a main focus in American Football...helmets are evolving to help you remain as safe as possible when playing. Football is a contact sport and no equipment will totally protect you from injury or death. Call XO Sports....www.xosport.com to learn more about helmets.