Russ Francis in full, Russell Ross Francis was an American professional football player who was a tight end for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).
He played for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.
Francis finished his NFL career with 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
In 2021, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Francis to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2021.
On October 1, 2023, 70-year-old Francis was pronounced dead after his plane crashed into a ravine near Lake Placid, New York.
Who was Russ Francis?
Russ Francis was born on Russell Ross Francis April 3, 1953, in Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Francis began high school at Kailua High School on Oahu, Hawaii, and finished at Pleasant Hill High School in Oregon, southeast of Eugene.
He set the national high school record for the javelin as a senior in 1971 at 259 ft 9 in (79.17 m); the record stood until 1988. Francis was also a decathlete for Pleasant Hill.
At the University of Oregon in Eugene, 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) Francis threw the javelin and played only 14 games of varsity football for the Ducks.
Injured after three games as a sophomore in 1972, he played in 1973,[4] but sat out his senior season in 1974.
He enrolled at rival Oregon State University in Corvallis in order to expire his collegiate eligibility and be eligible for the 1975 NFL Draft.
Briefly a pro wrestler, he trained for the Superstars competition and was selected in the first round by the New England Patriots, the 16th overall pick and signed in May.
Russ Francis Death Cause
Russ Francis was one of two people who died after their plane crashed at the Lake Placid Airport in New York on Sunday, according to ESPN.
The former New England Patriot was traveling in the Cessna 177 Cardinal with Richard McSpadden, the senior vice president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), when the aircraft experienced technical difficulties, according to a statement from the AOPA.
“The airplane attempted to return to the airport but failed to make the runway,” the statement read.
It remains unclear whether Francis or McSpadden was flying the plane, ESPN reported. Per the outlet, Francis had recently become the owner of Lake Placid Airways and according to The Boston Globe, the retired athlete was authorized to fly select planes and helicopters.
The New England Patriots issued a statement following Francis’ death.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of former New England Patriots tight end Russ Francis. Our condolences are extended to Francis’ family and friends,” the team said in a statement.
When is Russ Francis funeral?
As of now, the funeral arrangement of the late Russ Francis has not been disclosed by his family.
Having said that, we are still following up on his death, we will update you as soon as we get important information about Russ Francis funeral service.
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