Russ Francis cause of death: What happened to Russ Francis?

American former professional football player Russ Francis passed away on October 1, 2023, in a plane crash. He was aged 70.

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

Francis had died in the crash alongside pilot cum AOPA Air Safety Institute vice president Richard McSpadden.

Who Was Russ Francis?

Russ Francis was a former football player who played as a tight end for fourteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL), from 1975 1989.

Francis had only played in two teams through out his career – the New England Patriots, and the San Francisco 49ers.

The super Bowl champion had played 167 games in the NFL and completed his career with a record of “393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns.”

In 1993, Russ was “inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.”

After retiring from professional football, the three-time pro bowler began hosting “The Russ Francis Radio Show on 107.7 WTPL out of Concord, New Hampshire.” He later served as anchor on “Forever West Outdoors on 1400 AM KODI, out of Cody, Wyoming.”