Russ Francis - All World Tight End

[PatsFans.com Article]

Russ Francis - All World Tight End
By: John Morgan

The Patriots head coach said "If you've got tight ends that can do the same things as your wide receivers, you're just more flexible". Bill Belichick talking about Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez? Nope, that was Ron Erhardt 32 years ago, in reference t...

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[IndyKen]

Yea, he was a great one- loved watching him play. He bought a big farm up in Vermont just before he retired as I recall - wonder if he still has it.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

I had a big poster of Russ in my room growing up -

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I had a big poster of Russ in my room growing up -

Same here. I wish i had taken care of my Francis, and Cunningham posters. They would look great in a frame right now. But oh well, I was a kid, and didnt know any better.

 

[DarrylS]

Howard Cosell loved him more than any of you guys did... he loved him most, but terms like man crush were not used then.

 

[kpreh]

Yup he was my favorite player back then--I had a poster also


He would take off his helmet and kind of swing his hair around after he scored a touchdown--what kind of penalty would that get you today

 

[Spiral]

Up to that time, there never was a tight end who could catch, block and run like him. Not the same player after his motorcycle accident, though.

 

[Garbanza]

One of my favorite Pats when I started following the team. I have an autographed picture of him. He was a tad crazy and a beast on the field. Ah, memories!

 

[midpack]

I have a Russ Francis autographed jersey

 

[patsfan13]

Up to that time, there never was a tight end who could catch, block and run like him. Not the same player after his motorcycle accident, though.

I love R Francis but J Mackey was doing all that 10 years before R Francis.

 

[scout]

I love R Francis but J Mackey was doing all that 10 years before R Francis.

He could not run with Francis.

 

[scout]

Yup he was my favorite player back then--I had a poster also


He would take off his helmet and kind of swing his hair around after he scored a touchdown--what kind of penalty would that get you today

He would catch hell for taking his helmet off while not playing, said it was uncomfortable.

 

[Mystery Pats Fan]

I love R Francis but J Mackey was doing all that 10 years before R Francis.

And Gronk, as the years go on, will make everyone forget about both of them.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

Still have my #81 Sweet Revenge 1980 Jersey from my League days. Grogan/Francis AWESOME Combo.

 

[zoostation]

And Gronk, as the years go on, will make everyone forget about both of them.

Be difficult to forget about Russ Francis, but Gronk does remind me of him a bit. Both have incredible hands, speed and agility for their size.

Doesn't really matter.....but I'm curious....did you ever see Russ Francis play?

 

[Deus Irae]

And Gronk, as the years go on, will make everyone forget about both of them.

Ben Coates, as great as he was, didn't make people forget about Mackey and Francis. Gronk won't either. Only time and attrition will do that.

 

[SoCal Bong]

Being from Hawaii, Francis (and Tatupu, but mostly our distant relation to Grogan) was part of the reason my family became Pats fans.

It would be great if there were career highlight videos for players from this era but NFL Films is probably the only place that has it and it's probably not worth their time.

 

[italian pat patriot]

i have a # 81 Russ Francis red jersey since some years

one of the greatest Pats playiers

 

[h0c2000]

I got taken out by Russ Francis after the playoff game against the Oilers. Since I was only 8, at least he helped me to my feet. I still have this memory of looking up and seeing this huge 81 and me going flying.

 

[crowell33]

Yea, he was a great one- loved watching him play. He bought a big farm up in Vermont just before he retired as I recall - wonder if he still has it.

As a young boy I grew up right next store to him in Wrentham, MA. One day my Collie was lost and I walked towards the woods in my yard calling "Rascal...Rascal...Rascal ". Russ walks towards me screaming "What !?!" A scared 11 year old kid, I said " I'm just calling my dog". He explained that he thought I was taunting him screaming "Russell......Russell".

The next day his girlfriend Lisa knocked on our door with any apology and some home made chocolate chip cookies. After that he was a good neighbor (and a pretty great football player). True story.