Russ Francis

NFL player


Name=Russ Francis
DateOfBirth=Birth date and age|1953|4|3|mf=y
Birthplace= Seattle, Washington
DateofDeath=
Position=Tight End
College=Oregon
DraftedYear=1975
DraftedRound=1/ Pick 16
Stats=Y
DatabaseFootball=FRANCRUS01
PFR=FranRu00
years=1975-1980
1982-1987
1987-1988
teams=New England Patriots
San Francisco 49ers
New England Patriots
ProBowls=3x 1977, 1978, 1979

Russell Ross Francis (born April 3, 1953 in Seattle, Washington), is a former professional football player who was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1st round (16th pick) of the 1975 NFL Draft. He grew up in Hawaii. A 6'6", 242 lbs. tight end from the University of Oregon, Francis played in 13 NFL seasons. He retired temporarily in 1981, then played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1982 to 1986. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. Francis finished his career with 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 40 touchdowns.

New England Patriots (1975-1980, 1987-1988)

Russ had a career best 139 yards receiving in the Patriots 30-27 win over the Steelers on September 26, 1976.

Russ caught a 38 yard touchdown pass from Steve Grogan, on 4th & 2, in the Patriots 30-27 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 26, 1976. Howard Cosell proclaimed him as the "All World Tight End".

Russ caught four passes and gained 96 yards receiving in the Patriots 24-21 Divisional playoff loss to the Raiders on December 18, 1976.

Russ caught a 3 yard pass from Steve Grogan, on 4th & 1, in the Patriots 55-21 rout of the New York Jets at Schaefer Stadium on December 29, 1978.

Russ led the Patriots in receptions in 1978 with 39 catches for 543 yards.

Russ caught a 28 yard pass from WR Don Westbrook in the Patriots 24-17 win over the Detroit Lions at Schaefer Stadium on October 7, 1979.

Russ has a career longest 53 yard reception and 126 yards receiving in the Patriots 21-14 win over the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland Coliseum on September 24, 1978.

Russ caught a 23 yard pass from WR Harold Jackson in the Patriots 34-21 win over the New York Jets at Schaefer Stadium on November 3, 1980.

Russ grabbed a 12 yard pass from WR Harold Jackson in the Patriots 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins at the Orange Bowl on December 8, 1980.

Russ caught a 25 yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh, on 4th & 8, in the Patriots 24-2 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Schaefer Stadium on December 14, 1980.

Russ was the first Patriot tight end with 3 career receptions on fourth down plays.Fact|date=February 2008 Francis is the only Patriot player with 3 receptions from a pass thrown by a wide receiver.Fact|date=February 2008 Francis was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection from 1977-1979. In 1987, he went back to New England for 1 game, and then rejoined the Niners for eight. He rejoined the Patriots yet again for the 1988 season, and retired after the season.

an Francisco 49ers (1982-1987)

Following the 1980 NFL season, Francis retired from pro football. Two things that Francis has said contributed greatly to this decision were, number one, the Patriots refusing to give him a bonus he'd been promised for making the Pro Bowl because he never actually played in the game after being injured in a Waimanalo motorcycle accident and, secondly, when his roommate, Darryl Stingley, was paralyzed by a Jack Tatum hit, the Patriots tried to cancel Stingley's medical insurance. Francis has said it was tough to play after that. [ [http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html starbulletin.com] ] Francis soon got a job with ABC Sports. While in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, Francis interviewed Bill Walsh, the 49ers head coach. Walsh told him this was the only time in his life he'd be able to play football, and that he'd never get these years back and shouldn't turn his back on this chance. Walsh was right, and Francis came out of retirement, after sitting out the 1981 season, joined the 49ers and eventually won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 1984 49er team. [ [http://starbulletin.com/2006/08/08/sports/simpson.html starbulletin.com] ] Francis played a key role in San Francisco's win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX (5 catches for 60 yards). In 1985, Francis had a career-high 44 receptions. Francis appeared in a twenty man battle royal at WrestleMania 2 along with other NFL stars.

Trivia

* He was the starting tight end for the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX against the Miami Dolphins.
* Set the national high school record for the javelin in 1971 at 259 feet, 9 inches; the record stood until 1988. [http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/lists/all_time/prepout_at_m.html]
* He enjoys wearing berets.Fact|date=February 2008
* Currently hosts a "The Russ Francis Show" from 8 AM to 12 PM on 107.7 WTPL "The Pulse", out of Concord, New Hampshire
* Son of wrestling promoter Ed Francis.

References

External links

* [http://hawaiisportshalloffame.com/xfran.htm Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame Profile]