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'{{refimprove|biography|date=October 2023}} {{Short description|American football player (1953–2023)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography <nowiki>|</nowiki> name = Russ Francis <nowiki>|</nowiki> image = <!-- Only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people -- see [[WP:NONFREE]]. --> | image_size = | alt = | caption = | position = [[Tight end]] | number = 81 | birth_date = {{birth date|1953|04|03}} | birth_place = [[Seattle, Washington]], U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2023|10|01|1953|04|03}} | death_place = [[Lake Placid, New York]], U.S. | high_school Pleasant Hill High= Eugene{{nowrap| | college = [[Oregon Ducks football|Oregon]] | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 6 | weight_lbs = 242 | draftyear = 1975 | draftround = [[1975 NFL Draft#Round one|1]] | draftpick = 16 | teams = * [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|1975|1980}}) * [[San Francisco 49ers]]{{spaces|3}}({{NFL Year|1982|1987}}) * New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|1987|1989}}) | highlights = * [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XIX|XIX]]) * 2× Second-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1976 All-Pro Team|1976]], [[1978 All-Pro Team|1978]]) * 3× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]) * [[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team|PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team#1975|1975]]) * [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots All-1970s Team]] * [[New England Patriots|New England Patriots 35th Anniversary Team]] | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 167 | statlabel2 = [[Reception (American football)|Reception]]s | statvalue2 = 393 | statlabel3 = Receiving yards | statvalue3 = 5,262 | statlabel4 = [[Touchdowns]] | statvalue4 = 40 | nfl = 2514335 | pfr = FranRu00 | HOF = }} Oregon '''Russell Ross Francis''' (April 3, 1953 – October 1, 2023) was an American professional [[American football|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]]. He was also a [[professional wrestler]]. <!-- Selected in the first round (16th pick) of the [[1975 NFL Draft]]. He grew up in Hawaii. A {{height|ft=6|in=6}}, {{convert|242|lb|abbr=on}} tight end from the [[Oregon Ducks football|University of Oregon]], Francis played in 13 [[NFL]] seasons. Francis retired temporarily in 1981, then played for the [[San Francisco 49ers]] from [[1982 San Francisco 49ers season|1982]] to [[1986 San Francisco 49ers season|1986]] --> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.football-learning-academy.com/pages/blog?p=pfras-hall-of-very-good-class-of-2021&fbclid=IwAR13MohRgCFNeiEZEefXV5gktK68rgKAADNdXH9-vaOh_hqVjhnv-dNp2zU |title= PFRA's Hall of Very Good Class of 2021 |author=Ken Crippen|access-date=November 21, 2021}}</ref> ==Early life and career== Francis began high school at [[Kailua High School]] on [[Oahu]], [[Hawaii]], and finished at [[Pleasant Hill High School (Oregon)|Pleasant Hill High School]] in Oregon, southeast of [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oregonsportshall.org/russ_francis.html |title=Russ Francis – Football |publisher=[[Oregon Sports Hall of Fame]] |access-date=February 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301212526/http://oregonsportshall.org/russ_francis.html |archive-date=March 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He set the national high school record for the [[javelin throw|javelin]] as a senior in 1971 at {{height|ft=259|in=9}}; the record stood until 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/lists/all_time/prepout_at_m.html |title=Lists: High School: All-Time: Men |publisher=Track and Field News |date=November 15, 2005 |access-date=February 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217104849/http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/lists/all_time/prepout_at_m.html |archive-date=February 17, 2013 }}</ref> Francis was also a [[decathlete]] for Pleasant Hill.{{cn|date=October 2023}} ==College career== At the [[University of Oregon]] in [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], {{height|ft=6|in=6}} Francis threw the javelin and played only 14 games of varsity football for the [[Oregon Ducks football|Ducks]]. Injured after three games as a sophomore in [[1972 Oregon Webfoots football team|1972]], he played <!--as a junior-->in [[1973 Oregon Webfoots football team|1973]],<ref name=rhach>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ka5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6546%2C5544845 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon)|last=Newnham |first=Blaine |title=Russ has a choice |date=January 25, 1974 |page=1D }}</ref> but sat out his senior season in [[1974 Oregon Webfoots football team|1974]].<ref name=fcfc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KEhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iuoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6717%2C3799630 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon)|last=Conrad |first=John |title=Francis comes full circle in return to Eugene |date=October 16, 1993 |page=4D }}</ref> Francis enrolled at rival [[Oregon State University]] in order to expire his collegiate eligibility and be eligible for the [[1975 NFL Draft]].<ref name=snrfs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U0cgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E50EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7183%2C4347392 |newspaper=Tuscaloosa News |location=(Alabama) |title=Sneaky Russ Francis has chance to play in pros |agency=Associated Press |date=January 26, 1975 |page=12B }}</ref> Briefly a [[Professional wrestling|pro wrestler]],<ref name=d74rres>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xcdVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497%2C913394 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |last=Cawood|first=Neil |title=Russ resurfaces |date=December 4, 1974 |page=1B}}</ref> he trained for the ''[[Superstars (US Version)|Superstars]]'' competition and was selected in the first round by the [[1975 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]], the 16th overall pick and signed in May.<ref name=frtwr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9_RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xfMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1147%2C2359828 |newspaper=Lewiston Evening Journal |location=(Maine) |agency=Associated Press |title=Francis the wrestler signs with Patriots |date=May 16, 1975 |page=22 }}</ref> ==Professional career== ===New England Patriots (1975–1980)=== During the Patriots 30–27 win in [[1976 New England Patriots season|1976]] over the two-time defending Super Bowl champion [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] on September 26, Francis caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from [[Steve Grogan]] on fourth and one. In that same game, Francis had a career-best 139 yards receiving.<ref name=hex76st>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iWdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=COgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6622%2C6802953 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Francis hexes Steelers |date=September 27, 1976 |page=2C}}</ref> As a result, [[Howard Cosell]] proclaimed him as the "{{cspan|All-World Tight End|date=October 2023}}." In [[1980 New England Patriots season|1980]], Francis caught a 23-yard pass from [[Harold Jackson (American football)|Harold Jackson]], on a [[wide receiver]] reverse option play, in the Patriots {{nowrap|34–21}} win over the [[1980 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] on November 2. He caught a 12-yard pass from WR Harold Jackson, on the same wide receiver reverse option play, in the Pats' {{nowrap|16–13}} overtime loss to the [[1980 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] on [[Monday Night Football]] on December 8.{{cn|date=October 2023}} In [[1978 New England Patriots season|1978]], Francis had a career-longest 53-yard reception and 126 yards receiving in the Patriots {{nowrap|21–14}} win over the [[1978 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] at the [[Oakland Coliseum]] on September 24. That season, he led the Patriots in receptions with 39 catches for 543 yards.{{cn|date=October 2023}} Francis was a [[Pro Bowl]] selection for three consecutive seasons ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]).{{cn|date=October 2023}} Following the 1980 season, Francis opted to retire from professional football<ref name=noregr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U5BTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476%2C3514756 |newspaper=Bend Bulletin |location=(Oregon) |agency=UPI |last=Tosches |first=Rick |title=Russ Francis: no regrets about early retirement |date=January 18, 1982 |page=D1 }}</ref> after the Patriots refused to give him his promised bonus for making the Pro Bowl that he missed due to injury,<ref name=shsflg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6uEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6706%2C3934170 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Stingley has some feeling after surgery |date=August 14, 1978 |page=4C}}</ref> and when the team tried to cancel [[Darryl Stingley]]'s medical insurance after he was paralyzed by a [[Jack Tatum]] hit two years earlier. Francis, who was roommates with Stingley, said that it was tough to play after Stingley's injury.<ref name="starbulletin.com">[http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html starbulletin.com]</ref> ===San Francisco 49ers (1982–1987)=== After sitting out the {{nfly|1981}} season, Francis came out of retirement and joined the 49ers for the 1982 season. In the 49ers' win over the [[Miami Dolphins]] in [[Super Bowl XIX]], <ref name="starbulletin.com"/> Francis had 5 receptions for 60 yards. In [[1985 San Francisco 49ers season|1985]], Francis had a career-high 44 receptions.{{cn|date=October 2023}} ===New England Patriots (1987–1988)=== Francis was released by the 49ers in 1987 and rejoined the Patriots before the season's final game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html |title= Sports People; Francis Rejoins Patriots |work= The New York Times |access-date= December 6, 2010|date=December 24, 1987}}</ref> He was on the roster in 1988 but after missing the [[1989 New England Patriots season|1989]] season due to injury and then being released, Francis retired for the second time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3D6123FF934A25752C1A96F948260 |title= SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO FOOTBALL; Morgan Out for Season |work= The New York Times |access-date= December 6, 2010|date=November 17, 1989}}</ref> ==Outside football== Francis qualified for The [[Superstars (US Version)|Superstars]] final and the World Superstars in 1980 and 1981, finishing second in the 1980 final and fourth in 1981. He won the football preliminary in 1981 and set a record of 23.91 seconds in the {{convert|50|yd|0|adj=on}} swimming event. That record stood until 1986, when it was broken by [[Greg Louganis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesuperstars.org |title=The Superstars |publisher=The Superstars |access-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> Francis appeared in a 20-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]] along with other NFL stars. He was the son of wrestling promoter [[Ed Francis]] and he briefly competed full-time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] after retiring from football. He also competed in the [[National Wrestling Alliance]]'s NWA Hawaii where at one time he held the [[NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship]] with his older brother, Billy Roy Francis.<ref name=hit>{{cite web|title=NWA Hawaiian Tag Team Title History|work=Solie's Wrestling Titles|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hawttnwa.html|access-date=April 25, 2009}}</ref> After retiring, he hosted ''The Russ Francis Show'' from 8 am to noon on [[WTPL|107.7 WTPL ''"The Pulse"'']], out of [[Concord, New Hampshire]],{{cn|date=October 2023}} and later he hosted ''Forever West Outdoors'' from 4 to 6 pm on 1400 AM [[KODI]], out of [[Cody, Wyoming]].{{cn|date=October 2023}} In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.{{cn|date=October 2023}} ==Politics== In [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2000|2000]], Francis challenged long-time [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] incumbent, [[Patsy Mink]] for [[Hawaii's 2nd congressional district]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2000-10-18 |title=Russ Francis deals with troubled past |pages=1 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/120006333/ |access-date=2023-10-06}}</ref> Running as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], Francis was defeated, winning 35.97% of the vote to Mink's 61.59%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewide Summary Report |url=https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf}}</ref> == Death == On October 1, 2023, Francis and [[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association|AOPA]] Air Safety Institute vice president [[Richard McSpadden]] were killed in a plane crash in [[Lake Placid, New York]], after the 1976 [[Cessna 177 Cardinal|Cessna 177]] flown by Francis out of [[Lake Placid Airport]] experienced power failure and attempted to return to the airport, but struck a [[berm]] on the runway and crashed into a ravine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38559269/power-loss-led-ex-nfler-russ-francis-fatal-plane-crash|title=Power loss led to ex-NFLer Russ Francis' fatal plane crash|author=[[Associated Press]]|work=[[ESPN.com]]|date=October 3, 2023|accessdate=October 3, 2023}}</ref> Francis was 70 years old.<ref>{{cite web|last1=D'Abate |first1=Mike |title=Russ Francis, Former Patriots TE, Dies at 70 |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |date=2 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== {{Footballstats |nfl=|cfl= |afl= |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=FranRu00 |dbf=FRANCRUS01 |rotoworld=}} {{1975 NFL Draft}} {{Patriots1975DraftPicks}} {{PatriotsFirstPick}} {{Patriots1970s}} {{Patriots35th}} {{Super Bowl XIX}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Francis, Russ}} [[Category:1953 births]] [[Category:2023 deaths]] [[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]] [[Category:American football tight ends]] [[Category:College football announcers]] [[Category:New England Patriots players]] [[Category:Oregon Ducks football players]] [[Category:Oregon Ducks men's track and field athletes]] [[Category:People from Pleasant Hill, Oregon]] [[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Hawaii]] [[Category:Players of American football from Hawaii]] [[Category:Players of American football from Oregon]] [[Category:National Football League replacement players]] [[Category:Oregon State University alumni]] [[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 2023]] [[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]] [[Category:Accidental deaths in New York (state)]]'