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PWInsider.com is saddened to pass on that Russ Francis, the former NFL star who made a Wrestlemania 2 appearance for the WWF, passed away yesterday in Upstate New York in a plane crash at 70 years old.
The Adirondack Daily Enterprise is reporting that Francis had recently purchased the Lake Placid Airways scenic tour business. Francis and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden took off yesterday around 4 PM, immediately reported an emergency but failed to return safely to the runway to land.
Russ' father Ed was a professional wrestler who promoted in Hawaii before selling the territory to The Rock' Grandfather Peter Maivia. Russ and his brother Bill held the NWA Big Times Tag Team Championship in 1978, losing them to John Studd and Buddy Rogers. Francis played with the NFL for both the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, but also wrestled for several territories, including the AWA, where he once challenged Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA World Championship, and Canada's Northwest Promotions.
In 1986, he was one of a number of NFL players taking part in a WWF Wrestlemania 2 Battle Royal in Chicago, which was won by Andre The Giant.
Francis last wrestled in 1987, teaming with Jimmy Snuka for several appearances in 1987.
PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Russ Francis.
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