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Page title without namespace (page_title) | 'Russ Francis' |
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{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Russ Francis
| 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.
| 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 =
}}
'''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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Brett |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Oregon legend Russ Francis killed during plane crash |url=https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=KEZI |language=en}}</ref>
==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 "All-World Tight End".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Eric |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former 49ers tight end Russ Francis, 70, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/former-49ers-tight-end-russ-francis-70-dies-18401775.php |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>
Francis was a [[Pro Bowl]] selection for three consecutive seasons ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Castaneda |first=Carlos |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Russ Francis, former 49ers and Patriots Pro Bowl TE, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=CBS San Francisco |language=en-US}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":0" />
===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 third in the 1981 event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=BostonGlobe |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entel |first=Jessi |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Super Bowl Champion and KODI Radio Host Russ Francis Dies in Plane Crash |url=https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Big Horn Basin Media |language=en-US}}</ref> That record stood until 1986, when it was broken by [[Greg Louganis]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 MEN'S FINAL |url=http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.thesuperstars.org}}</ref>
Francis appeared in a 20-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]] along with other NFL stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marbone |first=Aaron |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Living to fly {{!}} NFL great, longtime pilot Russ Francis dead in Lake Placid plane crash |url=https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He was the son of wrestling promoter [[Ed Francis]] and he briefly competed full-time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] after retiring from football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=2023-10-02 |title=Russ Francis, tight end on SF 49ers’ 1984 Super Bowl team, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> 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 9 am to noon on [[WTPL|107.7 WTPL ''"The Pulse"'']], out of [[Concord, New Hampshire]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. Clark |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2005 |title=Russ Francis brings experiences to local radio |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en}}</ref> and later he hosted ''Forever West Outdoors'' from 4 to 6 pm on 1400 AM [[KODI]], out of [[Cody, Wyoming]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freedman |first=Lew |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Russ Francis: Plenty of life after football |url=https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Cody Enterprise |language=en}}</ref>
In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Hawaii resident, NFL standout Russ Francis dies in plane crash |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Spectrum Local News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Francis was also the president of Lake Placid Airways, a scenic and charter-flight airline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Plane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers |url=https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
==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)]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Short description|American football player (1953–2023)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Russ Francis
| 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.
| 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 =
}}
'''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 |archive-date= November 21, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211121200009/https://www.football-learning-academy.com/pages/blog?p=pfras-hall-of-very-good-class-of-2021&fbclid=IwAR13MohRgCFNeiEZEefXV5gktK68rgKAADNdXH9-vaOh_hqVjhnv-dNp2zU |url-status= live }}</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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Brett |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Oregon legend Russ Francis killed during plane crash |url=https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=KEZI |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015211/https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502001410/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ka5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6546,5544845 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509204757/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KEhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iuoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6717,3799630 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504060233/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U0cgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E50EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7183,4347392 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103606/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xcdVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497,913394 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429223050/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9_RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xfMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1147,2359828 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103603/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iWdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=COgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6622,6802953 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, [[Howard Cosell]] proclaimed him as the "All-World Tight End".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Eric |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former 49ers tight end Russ Francis, 70, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/former-49ers-tight-end-russ-francis-70-dies-18401775.php |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Boston Globe |language=en-US |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Francis was a [[Pro Bowl]] selection for three consecutive seasons ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Castaneda |first=Carlos |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Russ Francis, former 49ers and Patriots Pro Bowl TE, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=CBS San Francisco |language=en-US |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008000217/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519235943/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U5BTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476,3514756 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103604/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6uEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6706,3934170 |url-status=live }}</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">{{Cite web |url=http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html |title=starbulletin.com |access-date=February 27, 2008 |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726030345/http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html |url-status=live }}</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.<ref name=":0" />
===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 |archive-date= May 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213210/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html |url-status= live }}</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 |archive-date= October 9, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015212/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/17/sports/sports-people-pro-football-morgan-out-for-season.html |url-status= live }}</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 third in the 1981 event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=BostonGlobe |language=en-US |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entel |first=Jessi |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Super Bowl Champion and KODI Radio Host Russ Francis Dies in Plane Crash |url=https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Big Horn Basin Media |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152701/https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That record stood until 1986, when it was broken by [[Greg Louganis]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 MEN'S FINAL |url=http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.thesuperstars.org |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522094544/http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Francis appeared in a 20-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]] along with other NFL stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marbone |first=Aaron |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Living to fly {{!}} NFL great, longtime pilot Russ Francis dead in Lake Placid plane crash |url=https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003062051/https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the son of wrestling promoter [[Ed Francis]] and he briefly competed full-time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] after retiring from football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=2023-10-02 |title=Russ Francis, tight end on SF 49ers’ 1984 Super Bowl team, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008112235/https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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|archive-date=July 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726162913/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hawttnwa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
After retiring, he hosted ''The Russ Francis Show'' from 9 am to noon on [[WTPL|107.7 WTPL ''"The Pulse"'']], out of [[Concord, New Hampshire]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. Clark |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2005 |title=Russ Francis brings experiences to local radio |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814043353/https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and later he hosted ''Forever West Outdoors'' from 4 to 6 pm on 1400 AM [[KODI]], out of [[Cody, Wyoming]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freedman |first=Lew |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Russ Francis: Plenty of life after football |url=https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Cody Enterprise |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002182357/https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Hawaii resident, NFL standout Russ Francis dies in plane crash |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Spectrum Local News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |url-status=live }}</ref> Francis was also the president of Lake Placid Airways, a scenic and charter-flight airline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Plane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers |url=https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152731/https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==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 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/120006333/ |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814074751/https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf |url-status=live }}</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|archive-date=October 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003221959/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38559269/power-loss-led-ex-nfler-russ-francis-fatal-plane-crash|url-status=live}}</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 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007070222/https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary |url-status=live }}</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)]]' |
Unified diff of changes made by edit (edit_diff) | '@@ -54,23 +54,23 @@
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>
+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 |archive-date= November 21, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211121200009/https://www.football-learning-academy.com/pages/blog?p=pfras-hall-of-very-good-class-of-2021&fbclid=IwAR13MohRgCFNeiEZEefXV5gktK68rgKAADNdXH9-vaOh_hqVjhnv-dNp2zU |url-status= live }}</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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Brett |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Oregon legend Russ Francis killed during plane crash |url=https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=KEZI |language=en}}</ref>
+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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Brett |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Oregon legend Russ Francis killed during plane crash |url=https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=KEZI |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015211/https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==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>
+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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502001410/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ka5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6546,5544845 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509204757/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KEhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iuoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6717,3799630 |url-status=live }}</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>
+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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504060233/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U0cgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E50EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7183,4347392 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103606/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xcdVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497,913394 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429223050/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9_RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xfMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1147,2359828 |url-status=live }}</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 "All-World Tight End".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Eric |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former 49ers tight end Russ Francis, 70, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/former-49ers-tight-end-russ-francis-70-dies-18401775.php |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
+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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103603/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iWdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=COgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6622,6802953 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, [[Howard Cosell]] proclaimed him as the "All-World Tight End".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Eric |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former 49ers tight end Russ Francis, 70, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/former-49ers-tight-end-russ-francis-70-dies-18401775.php |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
-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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>
+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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Boston Globe |language=en-US |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-Francis was a [[Pro Bowl]] selection for three consecutive seasons ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Castaneda |first=Carlos |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Russ Francis, former 49ers and Patriots Pro Bowl TE, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=CBS San Francisco |language=en-US}}</ref>
+Francis was a [[Pro Bowl]] selection for three consecutive seasons ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Castaneda |first=Carlos |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Russ Francis, former 49ers and Patriots Pro Bowl TE, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=CBS San Francisco |language=en-US |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008000217/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-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>
+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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519235943/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U5BTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476,3514756 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103604/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6uEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6706,3934170 |url-status=live }}</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">{{Cite web |url=http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html |title=starbulletin.com |access-date=February 27, 2008 |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726030345/http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===San Francisco 49ers (1982–1987)===
@@ -78,20 +78,20 @@
===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>
+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 |archive-date= May 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213210/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html |url-status= live }}</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 |archive-date= October 9, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015212/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/17/sports/sports-people-pro-football-morgan-out-for-season.html |url-status= live }}</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 third in the 1981 event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=BostonGlobe |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entel |first=Jessi |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Super Bowl Champion and KODI Radio Host Russ Francis Dies in Plane Crash |url=https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Big Horn Basin Media |language=en-US}}</ref> That record stood until 1986, when it was broken by [[Greg Louganis]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 MEN'S FINAL |url=http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.thesuperstars.org}}</ref>
+Francis qualified for The [[Superstars (US Version)|Superstars]] final and the World Superstars in 1980 and 1981, finishing second in the 1980 final and third in the 1981 event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=BostonGlobe |language=en-US |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entel |first=Jessi |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Super Bowl Champion and KODI Radio Host Russ Francis Dies in Plane Crash |url=https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Big Horn Basin Media |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152701/https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That record stood until 1986, when it was broken by [[Greg Louganis]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 MEN'S FINAL |url=http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.thesuperstars.org |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522094544/http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
-Francis appeared in a 20-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]] along with other NFL stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marbone |first=Aaron |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Living to fly {{!}} NFL great, longtime pilot Russ Francis dead in Lake Placid plane crash |url=https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He was the son of wrestling promoter [[Ed Francis]] and he briefly competed full-time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] after retiring from football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=2023-10-02 |title=Russ Francis, tight end on SF 49ers’ 1984 Super Bowl team, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> 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>
+Francis appeared in a 20-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]] along with other NFL stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marbone |first=Aaron |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Living to fly {{!}} NFL great, longtime pilot Russ Francis dead in Lake Placid plane crash |url=https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003062051/https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the son of wrestling promoter [[Ed Francis]] and he briefly competed full-time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] after retiring from football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=2023-10-02 |title=Russ Francis, tight end on SF 49ers’ 1984 Super Bowl team, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008112235/https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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|archive-date=July 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726162913/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hawttnwa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
-After retiring, he hosted ''The Russ Francis Show'' from 9 am to noon on [[WTPL|107.7 WTPL ''"The Pulse"'']], out of [[Concord, New Hampshire]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. Clark |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2005 |title=Russ Francis brings experiences to local radio |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en}}</ref> and later he hosted ''Forever West Outdoors'' from 4 to 6 pm on 1400 AM [[KODI]], out of [[Cody, Wyoming]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freedman |first=Lew |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Russ Francis: Plenty of life after football |url=https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Cody Enterprise |language=en}}</ref>
+After retiring, he hosted ''The Russ Francis Show'' from 9 am to noon on [[WTPL|107.7 WTPL ''"The Pulse"'']], out of [[Concord, New Hampshire]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. Clark |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2005 |title=Russ Francis brings experiences to local radio |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814043353/https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and later he hosted ''Forever West Outdoors'' from 4 to 6 pm on 1400 AM [[KODI]], out of [[Cody, Wyoming]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freedman |first=Lew |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Russ Francis: Plenty of life after football |url=https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Cody Enterprise |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002182357/https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
-In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Hawaii resident, NFL standout Russ Francis dies in plane crash |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Spectrum Local News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Francis was also the president of Lake Placid Airways, a scenic and charter-flight airline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Plane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers |url=https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
+In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Hawaii resident, NFL standout Russ Francis dies in plane crash |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Spectrum Local News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |url-status=live }}</ref> Francis was also the president of Lake Placid Airways, a scenic and charter-flight airline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Plane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers |url=https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152731/https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==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>
+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 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/120006333/ |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814074751/https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf |url-status=live }}</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>
+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|archive-date=October 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003221959/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38559269/power-loss-led-ex-nfler-russ-francis-fatal-plane-crash|url-status=live}}</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 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007070222/https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References==
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0 => '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 |archive-date= November 21, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211121200009/https://www.football-learning-academy.com/pages/blog?p=pfras-hall-of-very-good-class-of-2021&fbclid=IwAR13MohRgCFNeiEZEefXV5gktK68rgKAADNdXH9-vaOh_hqVjhnv-dNp2zU |url-status= live }}</ref>',
1 => '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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Brett |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Oregon legend Russ Francis killed during plane crash |url=https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=KEZI |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015211/https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>',
2 => '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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502001410/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ka5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6546,5544845 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509204757/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KEhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iuoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6717,3799630 |url-status=live }}</ref>',
3 => '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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504060233/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U0cgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E50EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7183,4347392 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103606/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xcdVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497,913394 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429223050/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9_RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xfMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1147,2359828 |url-status=live }}</ref>',
4 => '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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103603/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iWdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=COgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6622,6802953 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, [[Howard Cosell]] proclaimed him as the "All-World Tight End".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Eric |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former 49ers tight end Russ Francis, 70, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/former-49ers-tight-end-russ-francis-70-dies-18401775.php |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>',
5 => '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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Boston Globe |language=en-US |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |url-status=live }}</ref>',
6 => 'Francis was a [[Pro Bowl]] selection for three consecutive seasons ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Castaneda |first=Carlos |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Russ Francis, former 49ers and Patriots Pro Bowl TE, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=CBS San Francisco |language=en-US |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008000217/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |url-status=live }}</ref>',
7 => '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 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519235943/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U5BTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476,3514756 |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103604/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6uEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6706,3934170 |url-status=live }}</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">{{Cite web |url=http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html |title=starbulletin.com |access-date=February 27, 2008 |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726030345/http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html |url-status=live }}</ref>',
8 => '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 |archive-date= May 24, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213210/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html |url-status= live }}</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 |archive-date= October 9, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015212/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/17/sports/sports-people-pro-football-morgan-out-for-season.html |url-status= live }}</ref>',
9 => 'Francis qualified for The [[Superstars (US Version)|Superstars]] final and the World Superstars in 1980 and 1981, finishing second in the 1980 final and third in the 1981 event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=BostonGlobe |language=en-US |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entel |first=Jessi |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Super Bowl Champion and KODI Radio Host Russ Francis Dies in Plane Crash |url=https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Big Horn Basin Media |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152701/https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That record stood until 1986, when it was broken by [[Greg Louganis]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 MEN'S FINAL |url=http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.thesuperstars.org |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522094544/http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |url-status=live }}</ref>',
10 => 'Francis appeared in a 20-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]] along with other NFL stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marbone |first=Aaron |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Living to fly {{!}} NFL great, longtime pilot Russ Francis dead in Lake Placid plane crash |url=https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]] |language=en-US |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003062051/https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the son of wrestling promoter [[Ed Francis]] and he briefly competed full-time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] after retiring from football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=2023-10-02 |title=Russ Francis, tight end on SF 49ers’ 1984 Super Bowl team, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008112235/https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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|archive-date=July 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726162913/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hawttnwa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>',
11 => 'After retiring, he hosted ''The Russ Francis Show'' from 9 am to noon on [[WTPL|107.7 WTPL ''"The Pulse"'']], out of [[Concord, New Hampshire]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. Clark |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2005 |title=Russ Francis brings experiences to local radio |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814043353/https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and later he hosted ''Forever West Outdoors'' from 4 to 6 pm on 1400 AM [[KODI]], out of [[Cody, Wyoming]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freedman |first=Lew |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Russ Francis: Plenty of life after football |url=https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Cody Enterprise |language=en |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002182357/https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ',
12 => 'In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Hawaii resident, NFL standout Russ Francis dies in plane crash |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Spectrum Local News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |url-status=live }}</ref> Francis was also the president of Lake Placid Airways, a scenic and charter-flight airline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Plane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers |url=https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152731/https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |url-status=live }}</ref>',
13 => '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 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/120006333/ |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814074751/https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>',
14 => '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|archive-date=October 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003221959/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38559269/power-loss-led-ex-nfler-russ-francis-fatal-plane-crash|url-status=live}}</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 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007070222/https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary |url-status=live }}</ref>'
] |
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0 => '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>',
1 => '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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Brett |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Oregon legend Russ Francis killed during plane crash |url=https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=KEZI |language=en}}</ref>',
2 => '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>',
3 => '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>',
4 => '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 "All-World Tight End".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Eric |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former 49ers tight end Russ Francis, 70, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/former-49ers-tight-end-russ-francis-70-dies-18401775.php |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>',
5 => '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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Boston Globe |language=en-US}}</ref>',
6 => 'Francis was a [[Pro Bowl]] selection for three consecutive seasons ([[1978 Pro Bowl|1977]]–[[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Castaneda |first=Carlos |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Russ Francis, former 49ers and Patriots Pro Bowl TE, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=CBS San Francisco |language=en-US}}</ref>',
7 => '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>',
8 => '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>',
9 => 'Francis qualified for The [[Superstars (US Version)|Superstars]] final and the World Superstars in 1980 and 1981, finishing second in the 1980 final and third in the 1981 event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Touri |first=Amin |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Looking back at the career of Russ Francis: All-Pro tight end, free spirit, and a subject of legend - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=BostonGlobe |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entel |first=Jessi |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Super Bowl Champion and KODI Radio Host Russ Francis Dies in Plane Crash |url=https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Big Horn Basin Media |language=en-US}}</ref> That record stood until 1986, when it was broken by [[Greg Louganis]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 MEN'S FINAL |url=http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=www.thesuperstars.org}}</ref>',
10 => 'Francis appeared in a 20-man [[battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] at [[WrestleMania 2]] along with other NFL stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marbone |first=Aaron |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Living to fly {{!}} NFL great, longtime pilot Russ Francis dead in Lake Placid plane crash |url=https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=[[Adirondack Daily Enterprise]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He was the son of wrestling promoter [[Ed Francis]] and he briefly competed full-time in the [[American Wrestling Association]] after retiring from football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Jerry |date=2023-10-02 |title=Russ Francis, tight end on SF 49ers’ 1984 Super Bowl team, dies in plane crash |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> 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>',
11 => 'After retiring, he hosted ''The Russ Francis Show'' from 9 am to noon on [[WTPL|107.7 WTPL ''"The Pulse"'']], out of [[Concord, New Hampshire]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=M. Clark |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2005 |title=Russ Francis brings experiences to local radio |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en}}</ref> and later he hosted ''Forever West Outdoors'' from 4 to 6 pm on 1400 AM [[KODI]], out of [[Cody, Wyoming]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freedman |first=Lew |date=April 18, 2016 |title=Russ Francis: Plenty of life after football |url=https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Cody Enterprise |language=en}}</ref> ',
12 => 'In 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Former Hawaii resident, NFL standout Russ Francis dies in plane crash |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Spectrum Local News |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Francis was also the president of Lake Placid Airways, a scenic and charter-flight airline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-02 |title=Plane crash in Lake Placid kills 2, including former NFL player Russ Francis of Patriots, 49ers |url=https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>',
13 => '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>',
14 => '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>'
] |
All external links added in the edit (added_links) | [
0 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20211121200009/https://www.football-learning-academy.com/pages/blog?p=pfras-hall-of-very-good-class-of-2021&fbclid=IwAR13MohRgCFNeiEZEefXV5gktK68rgKAADNdXH9-vaOh_hqVjhnv-dNp2zU',
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8 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/',
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12 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20080726030345/http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html',
13 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213210/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html',
14 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015212/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/17/sports/sports-people-pro-football-morgan-out-for-season.html',
15 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152701/https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/',
16 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20230522094544/http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html',
17 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231003062051/https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/',
18 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231008112235/https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/',
19 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100726162913/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hawttnwa.html',
20 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20220814043353/https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/',
21 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231002182357/https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/local/article_48ad4614-059f-11e6-9f42-cb0ccbd4f911.html',
22 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2023/10/02/hawaii-native--former-nfl-standout-russ-francis--70--dies-in-plane-crash',
23 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152731/https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3',
24 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/120006333/',
25 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20220814074751/https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf',
26 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231003221959/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38559269/power-loss-led-ex-nfler-russ-francis-fatal-plane-crash',
27 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231007070222/https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary'
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All external links in the new text (all_links) | [
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2 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120301212526/http://oregonsportshall.org/russ_francis.html',
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4 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130217104849/http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/lists/all_time/prepout_at_m.html',
5 => 'http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/lists/all_time/prepout_at_m.html',
6 => 'https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html',
7 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015211/https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html',
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13 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160504060233/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U0cgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E50EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7183,4347392',
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15 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103606/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xcdVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6497,913394',
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17 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160429223050/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9_RGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xfMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1147,2359828',
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21 => 'https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/',
22 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/02/sports/russ-francis-career-timeline/',
23 => 'https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/',
24 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231008000217/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/',
25 => 'https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U5BTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476,3514756',
26 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160519235943/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U5BTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476,3514756',
27 => 'https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6uEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6706,3934170',
28 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231002103604/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6uEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6706,3934170',
29 => 'http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html',
30 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20080726030345/http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html',
31 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html',
32 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213210/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html',
33 => 'https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3D6123FF934A25752C1A96F948260',
34 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015212/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/17/sports/sports-people-pro-football-morgan-out-for-season.html',
35 => 'https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/',
36 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231007152701/https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/',
37 => 'http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html',
38 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20230522094544/http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html',
39 => 'https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/',
40 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231003062051/https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/',
41 => 'https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/',
42 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231008112235/https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/',
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44 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100726162913/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hawttnwa.html',
45 => 'https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/',
46 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20220814043353/https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/Article/Russ-Francis-brings-experiences-to-local-radio-104221433/',
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54 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231009015213/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/120006333/',
55 => 'https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf',
56 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20220814074751/https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf',
57 => 'https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38559269/power-loss-led-ex-nfler-russ-francis-fatal-plane-crash',
58 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231003221959/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38559269/power-loss-led-ex-nfler-russ-francis-fatal-plane-crash',
59 => 'https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary',
60 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20231007070222/https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary',
61 => 'http://www.nfl.com/players/2514335/stats/',
62 => 'https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranRu00.htm'
] |
Links in the page, before the edit (old_links) | [
0 => 'http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/lists/all_time/prepout_at_m.html',
1 => 'http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html',
2 => 'http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/hawttnwa.html',
3 => 'http://www.oregonsportshall.org/russ_francis.html',
4 => 'https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ka5VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=P-ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6546,5544845',
5 => 'https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U0cgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E50EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7183,4347392',
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8 => 'https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U5BTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476,3514756',
9 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120301212526/http://oregonsportshall.org/russ_francis.html',
10 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/24/sports/sports-people-francis-rejoins-patriots.html',
11 => 'https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3D6123FF934A25752C1A96F948260',
12 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130217104849/http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/lists/all_time/prepout_at_m.html',
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15 => 'https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9wZFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6uEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6706,3934170',
16 => 'https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranRu00.htm',
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19 => 'https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/120006333/',
20 => 'https://files.hawaii.gov/elections/files/results/2000/primary/histatewide.pdf',
21 => 'https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-tight-end-russ-francis-dies-plane-crash-obituary',
22 => 'http://www.nfl.com/players/2514335/stats/',
23 => 'https://www.kezi.com/sports/local/oregon-legend-russ-francis-killed-during-plane-crash/article_2ab4218c-6172-11ee-9a51-eb60f115d5f4.html',
24 => 'https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/russ-francis-killed-plane-crash-49ers-patriots-tight-end-pro-bowl/',
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30 => 'https://apnews.com/article/lake-placid-plane-crash-russ-francis-c5cd04f8eeea4b6a19efb569a576d8b3',
31 => 'https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/10/02/russ-francis-tight-end-on-sf-49ers-1984-super-bowl-team-dies-in-plane-crash/',
32 => 'https://mybighornbasin.com/former-super-bowl-champion-and-kodi-radio-host-russ-francis-dies-in-plane-crash/',
33 => 'http://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/86final.html',
34 => 'https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2023/10/living-to-fly/'
] |
Whether or not the change was made through a Tor exit node (tor_exit_node) | false |
Unix timestamp of change (timestamp) | '1696816383' |
