Russ Francis, a former NFL tight end, lost his life in a plane crash on Sunday, October 1, at Lake Placid Airport.

The aeroplane, which had issues shortly after takeoff from the airstrip in Franklin County, New York, was carrying the 70-year-old passenger.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association stated that the aircraft attempted to return to the runway but was unable to do so before the accident occurred, which occurred just after 4 p.m.

Richard McSpadden and Francis were both on the Cessna 177 Cardinal when they both perished. McSpadden served as the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s senior vice president.

Francis bought Lake Placid Airways, a company that offers scenic and charter flights, in August.

Recalling Russ Francis

Francis, who graduated from the Oregon Ducks football programme, was chosen as the 16th pick in the first round of the 1975 draft. Francis was born in Seattle on April 3, 1953.

He would play tight end for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers for 13 seasons in the NFL, from 1975 to 1989.

In 1993, he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame after making 393 career receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns.

At Super Bowl XIX in 1984, Francis’s career reached its zenith. Francis produced five receptions for sixty yards and the sole ring of his career as the 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 38–16.