Russ Francis, former 49ers and Patriots Pro Bowl TE, dies in plane crash

Former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Russ Francis was one of two people killed in a plane crash in upstate New York on Sunday, his family announced on social media. He was 70 years old.

Francis’s younger brother Ed Francis posted a photo of his brother from a 49ers game, writing, “My older brother Russ Francis was just killed in a plane crash in Lake Placid, New York. Needless to say, my family and I are completely flattened. Flying was my brother’s lifelong passion, and perhaps a fitting way for him to go. God speed to you my big brother!!”