Tag: Russ Francis

Former 49ers TE Russ Francis dies at 70

Former #49ers TE Russ Francis dies at 70.

Former 49ers tight end Russ Francis on Sunday died at age 70. He was killed in a small plane crash in Lake Placid, New York.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said via the Lake Placid news that the plane “experienced an emergency after takeoff.” Francis and the AOPA’s senior vice president Richard McSpadden were both killed in the crash.

Francis took to flying following a stellar NFL career that spanned 14 seasons. He spent six years with the Patriots after the team picked him No. 16 overall in the 1975 draft. He retired for one season, then returned to spend five-plus years with the 49ers before finishing his career with a year-plus with the Patriots.

Francis was a three-time Pro Bowler for the Patriots and won a Super Bowl with the 49ers. He posted 186 catches, 1,205 yards and 12 touchdowns in 75 regular season games for San Francisco. In the playoffs he put up 277 yards and one touchdown on 23 receptions in seven games.

In his career Francis had 393 catches for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns in 167 games.

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Former NFL star TE Russ Francis killed in plane crash

Former NFL star tight end Russ Francis has been killed in a plane crash

Russ Francis, who starred for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, was killed Sunday in a plane crash in Lake Placid, New York.

Also killed was Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden.

Per LakePlacidnews.com:

Francis grew up wanting to fly, and he spent his life in the sky. He was 70.

“Russ Francis and I became close friends right away,” North Elba Town Supervisor Derek Doty told the News. “His energy was infectious and was so excited to be an integral part of our community. A terrible tragedy. I will delay any further comments until after consoling his family.”

Francis’ brother posted a message on Facebook.

“My older brother Russ Francis was just killed in an airplane crash in Lake Placid, New York,” Ed Franciswrote. “Needless to say, my family and I are completely flattened. Flying was my brother’s lifelong passion, and perhaps a fitting way for him to go. God speed to you my big brother!!”

Francis played 14 seasons in the NFL and was named to the Pro Bowl three times. He spent the first six seasons of his career in New England after being drafted out of Oregon in the first round in 1975.

 Francis had 196 receptions for 2,996 yards and 28 touchdowns in his first six seasons.

He retired after the 1981 season but returned to football with the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons.

He returned to the Patriots in 1988, playing in 12 games.

Overall, Francis appeared in 162 regular-season games and had 393 receptions, 5,262 yards, and 40 touchdowns.

49 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 49 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 49 jersey number

The New England Patriots are officially 49 days away from their regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 10.

That means we’re continuing our countdown series by listing every Patriots player that has ever worn the No. 49.

Long snapper Joe Cardona currently wears the number in New England. The veteran specialist has been one of the core members on the roster ever since he was drafted out of Navy in 2015.

There’s a mixture of former specialists, tight ends, linebackers and wide receivers on this list of 11 players. Here’s every player that has ever worn a No. 49 jersey throughout the Patriots’ franchise history (via Pro Football Reference):