The football world mourns the loss of former New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers tight end Russ Francis, who died in a plane crash near Lake Placid, along with retired Air Force Commander Richard McSpadden, on Sunday, October 1. Francis was 70.
McSpadden was piloting the aircraft while Francis was a passenger. The Lake Placid News first reported the news.
My deepest condolences to the Francis family. #RussFrancis was truly one of a kind. He will be missed. Awful to hear about his loss
— Jed York (@JedYork) October 2, 2023
Francis' NFL career was spent with the Patriots from 1975 to 1980 and again from 1987 to 1989. He spent six seasons, 1982 through 1987, with the San Francisco 49ers, winning Super Bowl XIX with the Bay Area team. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1977–79) and a two-time second-team All-Pro (1976, 1978).
Francis finished his career with 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns. One hundred eighty-six receptions, 2,105 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns came during his time with the 49ers.
Beyond the gridiron, Francis had a lifelong fascination with aviation, apparent by his recent acquisition of Lake Placid Airways.
The New England Patriots drafted Francis (6-6, 242) out of Oregon with the No. 16 overall pick in 1975.