Russ Francis was a former NFL player and wrestler who died in a plane crash on October 1, 2023. He was 70 years old. He played as a tight end for the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers, winning a Super Bowl ring in 1984. He also had a career in professional wrestling and radio hosting. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. His net worth was estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million. This post will provide more details about his life, family, career, and achievements.
Russ Francis Biography Profile
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Russell Ross Francis |
| Nickname | Russ |
| Date of Birth | April 3, 1953 |
| Birth Place | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Age (as of 2023) | 70 (deceased) |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac sign | Aries |
| Profession | Former NFL tight end and wrestler |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Polynesian |
| Home Town/State | Oahu, Hawaii / Oregon |
| School | Kailua High School / Pleasant Hill High School |
| College | University of Oregon / Oregon State University |
| Educational Qualification | Unknown |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Hobbies | Javelin throwing, decathlon, radio hosting |
| Marital Status | Unknown |
| Girlfriend | N/A |
| Net Worth | $5 to $10 million |
Russ Francis Early Life and Education:
Russ Francis was born in Seattle, Washington, but moved to Oahu, Hawaii, when he was young. He attended Kailua High School and excelled in athletics, especially javelin throwing. He later moved to Oregon and finished his high school at Pleasant Hill High School, where he set the national record for the javelin in 1971 with a throw of 259 feet, 9 inches (79.17 meters). He also competed in decathlon and football. He enrolled at the University of Oregon and played football for the Ducks, but missed most of his sophomore season due to injury. He transferred to Oregon State University to become eligible for the NFL draft and also briefly pursued a career in professional wrestling.
Russ Francis Family Details:
| Father Name | Unknown |
| Mother Name | Unknown |
| Brother(s) | Billy Roy Francis (older brother, wrestler) |
| Sister(s) | Unknown |
| Wife/Husband | Unknown |
| Children | Unknown |
Russ Francis Career Highlight:
Russ Francis was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft as a tight end. He played for the Patriots from 1975 to 1980 and earned three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors. He retired from football in 1980 after a contract dispute with the Patriots, but returned to the NFL in 1982 when he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers.
He played for the 49ers from 1982 to 1987 and won a Super Bowl ring with them in 1984. He rejoined the Patriots for one final season in 1987 before retiring for good. He finished his NFL career with 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
After leaving football, Francis resumed his wrestling career and participated in WrestleMania 2’s battle royal event in 1986. He then wrestled full time with the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). With his brother Billy Roy Francis, he held the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship title. He retired from wrestling in the early 1990s and became a radio host in New Hampshire and Wyoming.
Russ Francis Physical Stats and More:
| Height (Approx.) | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight (Approx.) | 242 lb (110 kg) |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Hair Length | Short |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
Who is Russ Francis?
Russ Francis is a retired American football player who played as a tight end for the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL.
What are some of his career highlights and awards?
Russ Francis won the Super Bowl XIX with the 49ers, was selected to three Pro Bowls, and was named to the New England Patriots All-1970s Team and the 35th Anniversary Team.
What did he do after retiring from football?
Russ Francis pursued his passion for flying and became a pilot, a skydiver, and a stuntman. He also worked as a broadcaster, a wrestler, and a motivational speaker.
How did he die?
Russ Francis died of a heart attack on October 1, 2023, at the age of 70. He was in Lake Placid, New York, to participate in a charity event for the Special Olympics.
What was his connection to Hawaii?
Russ Francis lived in Hawaii for part of his childhood and attended Kailua High School on Oahu. He also owned a ranch on the Big Island and hosted a radio show called “The Aloha Friday Show”.
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