Russ Francis: Former Super Bowl champ and KGMB sports director dies in NY plane crash

Former super Bowl champion Russ Francis died in a fatal air crash on October 1, 2023, at the age of 70.

The unfortunate incident occured at Lake Placid, New York, where the aircraft, a Cessna 177, “experienced an emergency after takeoff.” The plane had crashed in a nearby ravine, in an attempt to make a U-turn back to base.

Francis was in the company of AOPA Air Safety Institute vice president Richard McSpadden, when the plane crashed, killing both of them.

McSpadden was an accomplished pilot who served as commander of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during his military career.

About Russ Francis

Russ Francis played professional football as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) from 1975 1989.

Through out his career, he had only played with the New England Patriots, and the San Francisco 49ers.

The three-time pro bowler had appeared 167 games in the NFL, finishing his career with a record of “393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns.”

Before his demise, Francis had been “inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, and the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.”

Upon retirement from the game of football, Francis took to media by launching “The Russ Francis Radio Show on 107.7 WTPL out of Concord, New Hampshire.” He later served as a presenter on “Forever West Outdoors on 1400 AM KODI, out of Cody, Wyoming.”

In 2000, Francis tried his hands on politics by running for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district as a Republican. He was however defeated by Democratic leader Patsy Mink who was elected posthumously, after she died a week after her victory. Her seat was later occupied by Ed Case.

In 2021, Francis was named to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2021 by the Professional Football Researchers Association.