Tight end Russ Francis #89 of the San Francisco 49ers warms-up on the sideline during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on November 15, 1987.Photo:George Rose/Getty
George Rose/Getty
The NFL community is mourning the loss of former tight end Russ Francis.
Francis, who played for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, was one of two people who died after their plane crashed at the Lake Placid Airport in New York on Sunday, according toESPN. He was 70 years old.
The former New England Patriot was traveling in the Cessna 177 Cardinal with Richard McSpadden, the senior vice president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), when the aircraft experienced technical difficulties, according to astatementfrom the AOPA.
“The airplane attempted to return to the airport but failed to make the runway,” the statement read.
It remains unclear whether Francis or McSpadden was flying the plane, ESPN reported. Per the outlet, Francis had recently become the owner of Lake Placid Airways and according toThe Boston Globe, the retired athlete was authorized to fly select planes and helicopters.
Russ Francis #81 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during an NFL football game at Candlestick Park circa 1983 in San Francisco, California. Francis played for the 49ers from 1982-87.Focus on Sport/Getty
Focus on Sport/Getty
The New England Patriots issued a statement following Francis' death.
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Former NFL player Rich Miano also honored Francis, who was born in Hawaii, on local news stationKHON2on Monday.
“He was Hawaii football,” Miano, 61, said of former pro-bowler Francis. “He had that appreciation, that love for Hawaii that, to me, is so special.”
He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, earning the honor in 1977, 1978, and 1979.
source: people.com
