As a Pats fan going back to the 70’s, Russ Francis was one of the few bright spots on mostly forgettable teams. A guy respected across the league. RIP Russ.
Wow, did he ride last year like he told me he was going to do? I talked to him on the 4th and he told me he was going to the rodeo to ride a bull. I told him he was nuts and he always was. He also said he played poker with Huey Lewis and Hank Williams Jr. and I know for a fact he didn’t but we both loved telling tall tales and each other. Both Bill and Russ were my biggest brothers.
I was a huge Russ Francis fan. He was my favorite player during those years of the Patriots.I started flying in '73, so I always looked up to Russ, especially since besides being an awesome TE, we shared a love for aviation. I also loved Lake Placid, never knew he's end up there, I spent a little time there during the early 80s.. This story hit really close to home, as I had some connections to Adirondack Flying Service, when Steve Short owned it. Small world. Russ was a legend.
So very sorry for your loss. He was my favorite player in his Patriot and 49'er years. I still have his Sports Illustrated poster. Couldn't part with it. ❤
Never was a Patriots fan but Was a Huge #81 fan. Ran into him, cupola times, surfing at the beach. When you're 7-10 yrs old, braddah man was Huge! Mahalo nui, Russell...For putting local Hawaii athletes on the Biggest stage!
Great player and seemed like a wonderful person. John Hannah quote back in 1980: If Russ would hump his butt no one would know who Dave Casper was. Francis had a reputation of not taking series enough. But that was a misnomer. He was as dedicated and superbly condition as anyone in the NFL. I belief that from 1975 to 1980 he was the second best tight end in the NFL. Only Dave Casper was better during that time. Riley Odoms and Raymond Chester were after those two. Notice how they all in the AFC. RIP to an awesome player and man.
@81overon yeah true. Grogan was a good one. But Snake is in the hall of fame. Snake had some hideous seasons in the early 80's though after he got traded from the Raiders. But from 73' to 79' he was great. Safe for an off year in 1978 where he had 30 interceptions
Russ and I were the closest of friends. From the time I sold him my family home to him in Montana in 1989. He flew into Stevensville Airport in December in his open cockpit PT-17. We swam in the Bitterroot river in the middle of January. I spoke to him July 4th just before he was going to ride a bull at the Cody rodeo at 70. Whether he was or not doesn’t matter. He was always bigger than life. I loved the cowboy poet he was. And he played Wipe Out on the drums very well.
Great te who could block and get open in a running era....john hannah said russ was even more talented than gronk but i dont think he was the diehard those 2 were but still one hell of a player. I dont think the nfl ever had 3 better players on ol right by each other than hannah,leon gray and russ. They set a nfl rushing record in 1978
But like Mke Haynes,Don Hasselbeck & Tony McGee he went to other teams to get a Super Bowl ring.Give me Ben Coates as a tight end,LOL very funny story with Howard Cosell.That Patriots team from around 45 years ago had to much talent the they yielded only 2 playoff seasons.
As a Pats fan going back to the 70’s, Russ Francis was one of the few bright spots on mostly forgettable teams. A guy respected across the league. RIP Russ.
I wouldn't say that,they averaged 10 wins from 76 to 1980 and russ was a big part of winning
@@leodrosia4369Today we would take that for sure. The Pats now are complete garbage.
All World Russ Francis!🏈
I was his Barber here in Cody Wyoming, Great guy, will be missed.
Wow, did he ride last year like he told me he was going to do? I talked to him on the 4th and he told me he was going to the rodeo to ride a bull. I told him he was nuts and he always was. He also said he played poker with Huey Lewis and Hank Williams Jr. and I know for a fact he didn’t but we both loved telling tall tales and each other. Both Bill and Russ were my biggest brothers.
Such a great player!!! Will be sadly missed, RIP Mr. Francis!!!!
may he forever rest in peace 😢😢😢.
I was a huge Russ Francis fan. He was my favorite player during those years of the Patriots.I started flying in '73, so I always looked up to Russ, especially since besides being an awesome TE, we shared a love for aviation. I also loved Lake Placid, never knew he's end up there, I spent a little time there during the early 80s.. This story hit really close to home, as I had some connections to Adirondack Flying Service, when Steve Short owned it. Small world. Russ was a legend.
That is a beautiful eulogy. Mahalo.
Loved Russ Francis. Such a great TE and big personality. RIP
I had the honor of shaking his hand at Bryant College training camp. Great athlete. Meet you in the next life, Russ.
Rest In Peace legend
He was so good! Legend!
i remember russ not only as a football star, but a surfer and pro wrestler...he could do it all
Rest in Peace certainly a legend 🙏
Very sad. Russ real very good catch ball and fun I believe he very strong man. R.I.P. Russ! 😢
My favorite player in those days.
This was greatly appreciated. We'll all miss you Papa.
So very sorry for your loss. He was my favorite player in his Patriot and 49'er years. I still have his Sports Illustrated poster. Couldn't part with it. ❤
We ve had great TEs: Francis, Ben Coates, Gronk
Strangely I Remember Russ Francis as a Super Bowl Winning 49er Player.
Never was a Patriots fan but Was a Huge #81 fan. Ran into him, cupola times, surfing at the beach. When you're 7-10 yrs old, braddah man was Huge! Mahalo nui, Russell...For putting local Hawaii athletes on the Biggest stage!
Great player and seemed like a wonderful person. John Hannah quote back in 1980: If Russ would hump his butt no one would know who Dave Casper was. Francis had a reputation of not taking series enough. But that was a misnomer. He was as dedicated and superbly condition as anyone in the NFL. I belief that from 1975 to 1980 he was the second best tight end in the NFL. Only Dave Casper was better during that time. Riley Odoms and Raymond Chester were after those two. Notice how they all in the AFC. RIP to an awesome player and man.
Casper had a better QB.
@81overon yeah true. Grogan was a good one. But Snake is in the hall of fame. Snake had some hideous seasons in the early 80's though after he got traded from the Raiders. But from 73' to 79' he was great. Safe for an off year in 1978 where he had 30 interceptions
damn it! Rest in peace Russ. Legend!
One of our best playiers ever...a true legend...r.i.p. Russ...
I remember getting Russ' autograph at a Toys "R" Us back in the late 70s. It was a huge thrill for a little Masshole. Rest in peace, Russ. 🙏
❤❤❤❤❤❤
He was my neighbor when I was about 1-3 years old in Watertown MA
Legend
God bless
Nice tribute. i idolized #81 as a kiddo. I loved the phone conversation he had with Howard Cosell
When Russ played for the 49ers, Coach Bill Walsh was always worried about Russ getting hurt while doing some private thrill seeking. RIP
Russ and I were the closest of friends. From the time I sold him my family home to him in Montana in 1989. He flew into Stevensville Airport in December in his open cockpit PT-17. We swam in the Bitterroot river in the middle of January. I spoke to him July 4th just before he was going to ride a bull at the Cody rodeo at 70. Whether he was or not doesn’t matter. He was always bigger than life. I loved the cowboy poet he was. And he played Wipe Out on the drums very well.
Russ Francis along with John Hannah and Steve Grogan and Stanley Morgan were mercenaries for some bad Patriot teams, RIP All Pro Russ Francis
Great te who could block and get open in a running era....john hannah said russ was even more talented than gronk but i dont think he was the diehard those 2 were but still one hell of a player. I dont think the nfl ever had 3 better players on ol right by each other than hannah,leon gray and russ. They set a nfl rushing record in 1978
Thanks for the comment about Leon. Great OT. Leon and Anthony Munoz top two during my lifetime.
Hawaii boy had a big heart
But like Mke Haynes,Don Hasselbeck & Tony McGee he went to other teams to get a Super Bowl ring.Give me Ben Coates as a tight end,LOL very funny story with Howard Cosell.That Patriots team from around 45 years ago had to much talent the they yielded only 2 playoff seasons.
Thanks to Grogan. Very inconsistent QB.
The team goes straight to the outhouse to honor him.
Right on Al Michaels! Gronk get it right, people are saying you are RUSS FRANCIS 2.O!
It would have been interesting if Russ would played with Plunkett at New England
Class act ❤
Unlike the ghettoness of today 😂