After taking off from an upstate New York airfield, Mr. Francis, 70, who played in the NFL for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, and Richard McSpadden, 63, perished in a tiny aircraft crash on Sunday afternoon.
It was reported by the New York State Police that shortly after taking off from the runway, the Cessna 177 aircraft “encountered trouble” and crashed into an embankment near the corner of Lake Placid airport.
According to NBC News, Mr. Francis, who was a trained pilot for almost 50 years and had won the Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1985, was the president of Lake Placid Airways, which operates charter and scenic flights.
Over the course of 13 seasons, he played tight end with the 49ers and Patriots, garnering three consecutive Pro Bowl selections with the latter team from 1977 to 1979.
“Russ was a fan favorite throughout his playing career,” the owner of the Patriots, Robert Kraft, remarked upon his passing.
“Aside from being a spectacular player, he had an even greater personality off the field. He enjoyed life to the fullest, pushed the envelope, and knew no bounds.
“Aside from being a spectacular player, he had an even greater personality off the field. He enjoyed life to the fullest, pushed the envelope, and knew no bounds.