Russ Francis killed in Plane crash

[Hank Kingsley]

MSN

 

[Sir Robin Of Camelot]

Damn man...

The Big Kahuna!

 

[Hank Kingsley]

All World tight end.

 

[sharkymcwrath]

That's gotta be a tough way to go. If they're turning back it means shit was seriously wrong and they knew it.

RIP.

 

[PhilSimms11]

Rest in peace.

 

[Cyder]

A great player, tough as nails. So sorry to hear about this.

 

[Sir Robin Of Camelot]

When he was healthy, he was as good as any TE during his era. And there were some damn fine TE’s during his era. Casper, Newsome, Dupree, Chester, Trumpy… he was right up there with all of them.

 

[Carnzo]

After Wakefield this weekend this is tough news for Boston fans.
RIP big guy

 

[cheerupcharlie]

That does suck. He was one of my first favorite Patriots.

Had that Tom Selleck/Burt Reynolds vibe

 

[BigKen]

He changed the TE position in the NFL.

I had no idea that he was that close to my age.

RIP Big Guy.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

No next of kin. Always wondered about that.

 

[wood20ks]

Damn man.......

I remember him.......

Even tried his hand at wrestling.......

RIP man.......

 

[Debbie Does]

Dang. RIP, Russ.

 

[realityball]

Russ Francis was a member of probably the most talented Patriots team ever. And I can’t think of them without getting a bit pissed once again about the “Ben Dreith Game” … this explains it all as best as any:

Oakland Raiders Vault: Raiders vs. Patriots, 1976 Divisional Playoffs

Both original members of the American Football League, the Raiders and Patriots have met 33 times in regular season and postseason play, with the Pats hold...

justblogbaby.com

RIP Russ and shake the hand of whoever up there helped with “The Tuck Rule” … I’m sure you already did

 

[NWPATSFAN]

RIP Russ, one of mine and many Patriot fan favorites.

 

[Southieinnc]

Russ Francis was a member of probably the most talented Patriots team ever. And I can’t think of them without getting a bit pissed once again about the “Ben Dreith Game” … this explains it all as best as any:

Oakland Raiders Vault: Raiders vs. Patriots, 1976 Divisional Playoffs

Both original members of the American Football League, the Raiders and Patriots have met 33 times in regular season and postseason play, with the Pats hold...

justblogbaby.com

RIP Russ and shake the hand of whoever up there helped with “The Tuck Rule” … I’m sure you already did

I'm still pissed!

 

[BigKen]

I'm still pissed!

I'm pissed that the NFL didn't take his pension and shove the empty envelope up his ass. He admitted that he pulled the call out of his ass because it would have given the ball back to the Patriots. He did it because he knew that the Steelers had several injuries earlier in the day and the road to the Super Bowl was wide open. The only satisfaction was that the Raiders still lost.

That alone should have warned the NFL about officials having a favorite teams and never allowing them to call that team's games. Then again, Goodell was the Jets' legal beagle when BB left them high and dry.

 

[realityball]

I'm pissed that the NFL didn't take his pension and shove the empty envelope up his ass. He admitted that he pulled the call out of his ass because it would have given the ball back to the Patriots. He did it because he knew that the Steelers had several injuries earlier in the day and the road to the Super Bowl was wide open. The only satisfaction was that the Raiders still lost.

That alone should have warned the NFL about officials having a favorite teams and never allowing them to call that team's games. Then again, Goodell was the Jets' legal beagle when BB left them high and dry.

Ken, the divisional game was in 1976 … the SB was in 1977 and the Raiders WON that SB (*#@-=‘)
… also, that ref was stricken from officiating a Patriots game for 11 years(!)

 

[BigKen]

… also, that ref was stricken from officiating a Patriots game for 11 years(!)

Big deal. He could screw other teams when he officiated ""FOR"" the Raiders.

All that did was tell officials not to admit anything but it was okay to screw anyone playing against 'your' favorite team.

Says a shitload about how much the NFL values providing a quality and fair football game.

AND the league was so "ANTI" gambling on games until LV cut them in on the money.

 

[sonnyblack65]

RIP Russ!!! I remember him fondly