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Former Pro Bowl tight end Russ Francis died in a plane crash in Lake Placid, New York, on Sunday, according to family members. Francis is 70 years old.
Francis and Richard McSpadden, former commander of the US Air Force Thunderbirds, rolled hard to the left after takeoff from Lake Placid Airport before crashing, according to an NTSB spokesman. It was not immediately clear whether Francis or McSpadden was flying the plane.
Francis was taken by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 1975 draft. He made three Pro Bowls for the team.
In 1982, he moved to the San Francisco 49ers where he won a Super Bowl during the 1984 season. Francis returned to the Patriots in 1987 before ending his career the following season.
The Patriots released a statement on social media, saying: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of former New England Patriots tight end Russ Francis. Our condolences go out to the family and friends. friend of Francis.”
After retiring from football, Francis explored his passion for aviation and recently purchased Lake Placid Airways. The Boston Globe reports that FAA records show he is authorized to fly single- and multiengine airplanes and helicopters.
“My older brother Russ Francis just died in a plane crash in Lake Placid, New York,” Francis’ brother Ed Francis wrote on Facebook on Sunday. “Flying is my brother’s lifelong passion, and perhaps a fitting way for him to go. God speed to you my big brother!!”