Bio

A graduate of Ottawa's Confederation High School, where he played defensive end, Eric Upton was a member of the Ottawa Sooners under Matt Anthony in 1971 and then attended the the University of Colorado for one season before returning home. He arrived on the University of Ottawa campus and became a welcomed addition to the Don Gilbert teams of the early and mid-1970s.

He played offensive line for uOttawa for three seasons (1973-75) where he was a member of the famous 1975 Vanier Cup winning squad. He earned OIFC all-star honours in 1973 and 1975. He was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos with the 18th overall selection in the 1976 draft where he later became offensive captain and went on to win five consecutive Grey Cups. Upton made the two-man Canadian taxi-squad as an offensive and defensive player the only year the CFL allowed it, and was a CFL West All-Star in 1979.

His successful CFL career came to an end after ten seasons, all with Edmonton. Joe Upton, Eric's father, played tackle for the Ottawa Rough Riders.