In the season opener, against the rival AFC East New York Jets, Upshaw broke up a pass for an interception and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown in the last 10 seconds before the half. His touchdown allowed the Chiefs to regain the lead against the New York Jets. The Kansas City Chiefs would go on to win the game with a final score of 24-16. Upshaw recalls the moment as, "the first thing I wanted to do after I got the ball was stop and rest... that was the first touchdown I ever scored." (Kupper, 1974, p. 7).
