Russ Francis – NFL Career and Football History

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Russ Francis was a first-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1975 out of Oregon. He became the Patriots’ leading receiver in 1978, catching 39 passes, and earned Pro Bowl honors three straight seasons from 1978 through 1980.

In 1980, Francis was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he remained through the 1987 season and won a Super Bowl with the team in 1984. Released just before the final week of the 1987 season, he was picked up by his former team, the Patriots, and played in their final game of the season.

Francis finished his 13-year NFL career in 1988, appearing in 167 games with 393 receptions for 5,262 yards and 49 touchdowns.

Russ Francis Image Gallery

Patriots Tight End Russ Francis with a grab in 1977. That's Bill's veteran Tony Greene in coverage.

Steelers linebacker Jack Ham in coverage on Patriots tight end Russ Francis.

2 of the NFL's stars of the late 1970s lock up on the football field - Linbbacker Robert Brazile of the Oilers and Tight End Russ Francis of the Patriots.

Russ Francis Football Cards

Russ Francis All-Time Career Statistics

Career Regular Season Receiving Totals
Season	Age	Team	#	Pos	Games	Starts	Catches	Yards	Y/R	Long	TD
1975	22	NWE	81	TE	14	11	35	636	18.2	48	4
1976	23	NWE	81	TE	13	12	26	367	14.1	48	3
1977	24	NWE	81	TE	10	10	16	229	14.3	31	4
1978*	25	NWE	81	TE	15	15	39	543	13.9	53	4
1979*	26	NWE	81	TE	12	12	39	557	14.3	44	5
1980*	27	NWE	81	TE	15	15	41	664	16.2	39	8
1981	Did Not Play
1982	29	SFO	81	TE	9	4	23	278	12.1	26	2
1983	30	SFO		TE	16	16	33	357	10.8	25	4
1984	31	SFO♚	81	TE	10	8	23	285	12.4	32	2
1985	32	SFO	81	TE	16	16	44	478	10.9	25	3
1986	33	SFO	81	TE	16	14	41	505	12.3	52	1
1987	34	2 Teams		TE	9	7	22	202	9.2	19	0
1987	34	SFO	49	TE	8	7	22	202	9.2	19	0
1987	34	NWE	81	TE	1	0	0	0			0
1988	35	NWE	81	TE	12	8	11	161	14.6	51	0
8 Years		Patriots			92	83	207	3157	15.3	53	28
5 Years		49ers			75	65	186	2105	11.3	52	12
13 Years		NFL			167	148	393	5262	13.4	53	40

Career Post Season Receiving Totals
Season	Age	Team	Games	Catches	Yards	Y/R	Long	TD
1976	23	NWE	1	4	96	24.0	40	1

1978	25	NWE	1	8	101	12.6	24	1

1983	30	SFO	2	8	123	15.4	27	0
1984	31	SFO♚	3	8	89	11.1	19	1
1985	32	SFO	1	4	39	9.8	20	0
1986	33	SFO	1	3	26	8.7	20	0
Totals		49ers	7	23	277	12.0	27	1
Totals		Patriots	2	12	197	16.4	40	2
Totals		NFL	9	35	474	13.5	40	3