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Russ Francis, a former American football player, was killed in a plane crash alongside a former US Air Force officer.
Mr. Francis, 70, who played for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, and Richard McSpadden, 63, were killed on Sunday afternoon when their light plane crashed after taking off from an upstate New York airport.
According to New York State Police, the Cessna 177 jet “encountered trouble” and crashed into an embankment near Lake Placid Airport shortly after taking off.
Mr Francis, who won the Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1985, was president of Lake Placid Airways, which operates
According to NBC News, he had been a licenced pilot for nearly 50 years and specialised in charter and scenic flights.
He spent 13 seasons as a tight end for the 49ers and Patriots, and was named to the latter’s Pro Bowl three years in a row from 1977 to 1979.
“Russ was a fan favourite throughout his playing career,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement following his death.
“He was an explosive player on the pitch with an even larger personality off it. He had no limitations, pushed the envelope, and lived his life to the utmost.
