Russ Francis
| No. 81 | |
| Date of birth | April 3, 1953 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Seattle, Washington |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Tight End |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
| Weight | 242 lb (110 kg) |
| College | Oregon |
| High school | Pleasant Hill (OR) |
| NFL draft | 1975 / Round: 1/ Pick 16 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1975–1980 | New England Patriots |
| 1982–1987 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1987–1988 | New England Patriots |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls | Super Bowl XIX Champion |
| Career stats | |
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Russell Ross Francis (born April 3, 1953), 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 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 242 lb (110 kg) 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.
Francis began high school at Kailua High School on Oahu, Hawaii, and finished at Pleasant Hill High School in Oregon, southeast of Eugene. He set the national high school record for the javelin as a senior in 1971 at 259 feet, 9 inches; the record stood until 1988. Francis was also a decathlete for Pleasant Hill.
At Oregon, Francis threw the javelin and played only 14 games of varsity football for the Ducks. Injured after three games as a sophomore in 1972, he played as a junior in 1973, but sat out his senior season in 1974. He enrolled at rival Oregon State University in Corvallis in order to expire his collegiate eligibility and be eligible for the 1975 NFL draft. Briefly a pro wrestler, he was selected in the first round by the New England Patriots, the 16th overall pick and signed in May.
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