Former New England Patriots tight end Russ Francis tragically died in a plane crash at Lake Placid Airport, New York, on Sunday afternoon. Francis, 70, was piloting a Cessna 177RG aircraft alongside aviation executive Richard McSpadden when an unspecified emergency occurred during takeoff. The plane failed to return to the runway and crashed. Both men lost their lives. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and other authorities【6】【7】【8】.
Russ Francis was a dynamic player and fan favorite throughout his NFL career, which spanned 13 seasons. Drafted in the first round by the Patriots in 1975, he played for New England and the San Francisco 49ers, earning a Super Bowl XIX victory with the latter. Known for his athleticism and larger-than-life personality, he also pursued a love for aviation, a passion he maintained throughout his life【6】【8】.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed condolences, highlighting Francis’s legacy both on and off the field. Many who knew him found solace in the fact that he died doing what he loved most—flying【7】【8】.
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