Ex-NFL tight end Russ Francis was killed alongside another aviation enthusiast when their plane crashed after taking off from an upstate New York airport, authorities reported on Monday. Francis is a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the New England Patriots who won a Super Bowl with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers.
Francis and Richard McSpadden had just left the Lake Placid Airport shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday in a single-engine Cessna 177 when the plane ran into some trouble. The New York State Police said the aircraft crashed into an embankment at the corner of the airport.
Russ was president of Lake Placid Airways, which runs charter and scenic flights. He is a longtime flying enthusiast, has been a pilot for almost 50 years and ran a charter service in Hawaii, according to the airline’s website. McSpadden was a senior vice president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and was regarded as an aviation safety expert. The organization reported that his career included a stint as commander of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
The Tight End was a Patriots first-round draft pick in 1975 and played in New England until 1980, joining the franchise’s all-decade team for the 1970s and the 35th-anniversary team. He was named to the Pro Bowl three straight seasons from 1977-79.
“Russ was a fan favourite throughout his playing career,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “He was a dynamic player on the field who had an even bigger personality off it. He knew no boundaries, pushed the limits and lived his life to the fullest.”
Russ Francis was signed to the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and was in the 1984 team that defeated the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl. He came back to New England in 1987 and retired the following year. In the course of his career, he had 393 receptions for 5.262 yards and 40 touchdowns.
The crash is still being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
