Russ Francis, a former 49ers player, passes away in an aviation accident.
FOXBORO, Massachusetts — Russ Francis, a former tight end, “tragically passed away” over the weekend, and the New England Patriots organization is in mourning, the team announced on Monday.
The Adirondack Daily Enterprise said that on Sunday, a plane crash at Lake Placid Airport in New York claimed the lives of Francis and an aviation expert. He had just bought the scenic flight company, Lake Placid Airways.
The 70-year-old, who played in 13 NFL seasons, spent two stints (1975–1980 and 1987–1988) with the Patriots. From 1982 to 1987, he was a player for the San Francisco 49ers.
Francis was selected in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Patriots from Oregon.
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft released a statement saying, “On behalf of the entire New England Patriots organization, we extend our sincere sympathies to the family of Russ Francis, who tragically passed away yesterday.” Throughout his playing career, fans adored Russ. In addition to being a dynamic player on the field, he had a huge personality off it. He pushed the envelope, had no boundaries, and fully experienced life. Our sympathies are with Russ’s friends, teammates, family, and the many Patriots supporters who are in mourning over his passing.
Former Patriots tight end Russ Francis was killed in a plane crash with the 49ers.
Steve Gardner USA TODAY
Russ Francis, a former Pro Bowl tight end who played for the 49ers and New England Patriots, passed away on Sunday in an upstate New York plane crash.
On social media on Monday morning, the Patriots announced Francis’ passing, describing it as “sudden and tragic.”
He was seventy.
Francis and another man lost their lives shortly after takeoff when their plane attempted to return to Lake Placid Airport due to an emergency, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
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