Gene Upshaw joined the Oakland Raiders in 1967 from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M) as the number-one draft choice. He and Art Shell, on the left side of the defensive line, were heralded as the best guard and tackle combination in the game. The path they left cleared for Raiders backs was known as “Highway West.” Upshaw became team captain on his way to four All-Pro, five All-Conference, six Pro Bowl selections and, eventually, the NFL Hall of Fame. He is the only one in history to play in a Super Bowl in three different decades. After his retirement, he was chosen by his peers as executive director of the NFL Players Association.

Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Plaque location: BASHOF