Well known NFL agent Eugene Parker has died at the age of 60, according to many of his clients.
One of his clients, running back Carlos Hyde, shared condolences on Twitter first.
R.I.P Eugene Parker
— Carlos Hyde (@elguapo) April 1, 2016
Other reporters said the same and noted his impressive clientele such as Emmitt Smith and Deion Sanders:
Sad news that Relativity Agent Eugene Parker has passed away. Thoughts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Relativity family.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) April 1, 2016
RIP to longtime agent Eugene Parker. He was a trailblazer and pioneer for black sports agents. Clients included Dion Sanders, Emmitt Smith
— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) April 1, 2016
Parker was a basketball player at Purdue and was drafted by the Spurs.
Here is his bio from the Relativity Sports website:
Attorney Eugene Parker began his career in sports as an aspiring young athlete – much like those he represents today. He played basketball for Purdue University and went on to be drafted by the San Antonio Spurs.
After a year of playing with Athletes in Action, Eugene began law school at Valparaiso University, where he graduated with his J.D. in 1982. He began his ascent into the world of professional sports management when a local star, Roosevelt Barnes, Jr., asked for Eugene’s advice on his Detroit Lions contract. From there, he has gone on to negotiate countless groundbreaking and record-setting contracts while representing many of today’s top athletes. Eugene is known throughout the sports industry as both a tough negotiator and a man of integrity.
Protecting his clients’ best interests is always his number-one priority. Eugene feels that there is more to being a good agent than his ability to negotiate top-notch contracts. Helping a client adjust to his new life as a professional athlete is also extremely important. He shows clients how they can use their athletic talents as a vehicle to gain an economic advantage in society.
Parker was known for having many of his clients hold out, such as Ndamukong Suh and Michael Crabtree. Close to many of his clients, Parker presented Deion Sanders for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
Sanders paid his respects to Parker via Instagram:
