Russ Francis obituary

Russ Francis died on October 1, 2023, at the age of 70. Francis was involved in a plane crash that took his life and that of Richard McSpadden, an accomplished pilot who served as commander of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

Since the news of the incident broke, tributes have poured in for Francis and his compatriot.

“Flying was my brother’s lifelong passion, and perhaps a fitting way for him to go. God speed to you my big brother!!”, Francis’ brother Ed had written.

Francis is survived by his partner, Jaxie; Kate Naiman, the mother of his son, Michael; his brothers, Ed and Bill; his sister, Pixie; and his other children, Riley and Racheal.

About Russ Francis

Russ Francis was a super Bowl champion who played football as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons, as far back as the 1970s.

Francis was a three-time pro bowler and had played for the New England Patriots, and the San Francisco 49ers.

He finished his career with a record of “393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns.”

Upon retirement from the game of football, Francis embraced a career in media as a radio host. He also tried his hands on politics by running for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district as a Republican in 2000, although he didn’t win the election.

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

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