Russ Francis was a 13-year veteran of the NFL who played tight end for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers before becoming a professional wrestler with the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
- Died: October 1, 2023 (Who else died on October 1?)
- Details of death: Died in Lake Placid, New York, in an aircraft accident at the age of 70.
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Russ Francis’s legacy
Hailing from Oahu, Hawai’i, Francis spent much of his time in high school breaking and setting athletic records. After moving from Hawai’i to Oregon, he set the national record in javelin during his senior year at Pleasant Hill High School, one that stood for 17 years. As a decathlete, football wasn’t initially his primary focus when he entered the University of Oregon. However, after transferring to the rival Oregon State University, he became eligible for the NFL draft and was picked up by the New England Patriots.
Francis proved a powerhouse in the tight end position, earning three consecutive spots on the Pro-Bowl team between 1977 and 1979. He retired from football in 1980 after a pay dispute with the Patriots, but in 1982, San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh lured him back to the game. He ended up playing with the team until 1987, winning a Super Bowl ring with them in 1985. He returned to the Patriots for one final season before retiring.
After leaving football, Francis became a professional wrestler. He competed in WrestleMania 2’s battle royal event, then wrestled full time with the AWA and the NWA. With the latter, he held the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship title with his older brother, Billy Roy Francis. After leaving wrestling, Francis became a radio host in New Hampshire and Wyoming. He was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Tributes to Russ Francis
Full obituary: Star Advertiser
