Harris in Upshaw Camp

Gene Upshaw has his critics among NFL players, including some of the player representatives. Walt Harris, the 49ers’ cornerback and player rep, isn’t among them.

He thinks the knocks on the 63-year-old executive director of NFL Players Association, including a call for new leadership from Ravens kicker Matt Stover, are misguided.

“I think it comes from a lack of knowledge,” Harris said this week before the 49ers wrapped up three weeks of voluntary drills. “He’s done an exceptional job. I don’t think we could have had a better person in that position to lead us.

“If you look at the numbers and where we’ve been with him over the years, they speak for themselves.”

It’s those numbers that have NFL owners up in arms. Last month they voted 32-0 to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement that gives the players 59 percent of the total football revenue.

“It was anticipated, and it was understandable,” said Harris, who became the 49ers’ player rep shortly after joining the team in 2006.

Full Story: 49ers rep is firmly in Upshaw camp - [San Francisco Chronicle]