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Sports Legends Passing Away

Russ Francis. 70.

A plane he was piloting crashed.

He wrestled in the off season while playing for the Pats and Niners.

He's in the WM 2 battle royal of course.
 
Russ Francis’ dad was the promoter for the Hawaii territory in the ‘60s. It’s good football worked out for him so he wouldn’t have to fight the “promoter’s kid” stigma!
 
alkeiper said:
How many wrestling offspring made it as high as Russ Francis in the non-wrestling sporting world?
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Road Warrior Animal's son James Laurinaitis didn't make any Pro Bowls, but he was the Rams starting middle linebacker for 7 years and racked up over 100 tackles each of those seasons. Otherwise, it seems like most of them top out at Division 1 college sports or lower-tier professional leagues.
 
In a year when MLB hitters collectively slugged .340, Howard hit 44 home runs. For three years he was the best home run hitter in baseball. Similar to Aaron Judge in build, less athletic but probably had a better arm.
 
George McGinnis passed away today at 73. Won 2 ABA titles and an ABA MVP with the Pacers, and was also an All-NBA player and went to a Finals with the 1977 Sixers. Reggie Miller is now the only living player to have his number retired by the Pacers.
 
Super Bowl 1 and 2 era Lombardi center Ken Bowman died. He started into the mid 70s under Larry "The Rock" McCarren took his gig. Larry still calls Packer games for the team and was a local sports anchor in Green Bay for decades.

Anyway... Bowman replaced Jim Ringo in one of the more famous Lombardi stories. Ringo had been to 6 or 7 straight pro bowls. He came into Lombardi's office with a lawyer/agent to talk about a new deal. Lombardi stood up and said "Hold on a second" and left the room. He came back a few mins later and said "You are talking to the wrong guy, I just traded you to the Eagles."

Ringo made 10 pro bowls in all.
www.jsonline.com

Has Ken Bowman been denied proper credit for the greatest block in Green Bay Packers history?

Ken Bowman, who recently died at age 81, doesn't get the same volume of credit as Jerry Kramer for the most famous block in Green Bay Packers history.
www.jsonline.com
www.espn.com

Ex-Packers C Bowman, 3-time champ, dies at 81

Ken Bowman, who played center for the Green Bay Packers from 1964 to 1973 and was part of three consecutive championship teams, has died. He was 81.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Longtime HC Don Read passed away at 90. Probably best known for coaching Montana from 1986-1995, winning 155 games including the I-AA Title in 1995 beating Marshall 22-20.
 
Any of the Miracle Mets is a sad loss. OPS+ probably underrates Harrelson because even though he had no power and low averages he had good plate discipline. His career .327 OBP was a hair above league average over his career. Besides being a Mets' HOFer he also won a division title with the '78 Phillies.
 
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