(Apr. 3, 1953 – Oct. 1, 2023) Russ Francis, a multi-sport Pleasant Hill High School graduate, became a star tight-end down the road at the University of Oregon. At Oregon in 1974, Francis was named First Team All-Pac 8 and honorable mention All-American while ranking third in the conference with 31 catches (495 yards).

Francis was drafted in the first round (16th pick overall) by the New England Patriots, where he had 206 receptions for 1996 yards (average 14.5 a catch) and 28 touchdowns (1975-1980). He moved to the San Francisco 49ers (1982-87), where he had 186 receptions for 2105 yards (average 11.3 yards a catch), 12 touchdowns, and earned the prized Super Bowl Ring in 1985. Francis’s sticky fingers made him one of the most prolific receivers in the NFL for over a decade. Francis currently lives in California.