Former NFL tight end and Super Bowl winner Russ Francis has been named as one of two people killed in a plane
crash Sunday at Lake Placid Airport in upstate New York, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. The Patriots
acknowledged his death on Monday, but did not reveal the circumstances surrounding it. He was seventy years old.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of former New England Patriots tight end Russ Francis,” the
statement went on to say. “Our condolences are extended to Francis’ family and friends.”
Francis recently purchased Lake Placid Airways scenic tours and was on the plane with Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association senior president Richard McSpadden, who was also killed in the incident, according to the Enterprise.
McSpadden was in the right seat of the Cessna 177 Cardinal when it had an emergency shortly after takeoff at 4:09
p.m. ET, according to the AOPA.
“The airplane attempted to return to the airport but failed to make the runway,” the AOPA said in a statement,
according to Syracuse.com. “Both occupants lost their lives.”
The Patriots selected Francis in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft, and he played with New England until he was
moved to the 49ers in 1982. He was a member of the San Francisco team that won the Super Bowl XIX. Francis was
eventually waived in ’87 and returned New England that same season before retiring in 1989. He was selected for
three Pro Bowls.
He is survived by his wife Judy, son Grant, and daughter Annabel.
