College Football Hall Of Famer Sam Francis Dies

Nebraska fullback was an All-American in 1936, when he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

April 23, 2002

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Former Nebraska fullback Sam Francis, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, died Tuesday. He was 88.

Francis died in his sleep at his home in Springfield, Mo., the Nebraska Sports Information office said.

He was an All-American for the Cornhuskers in 1936, when he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy to Yale's Larry Kelley.

Francis lettered at Nebraska in 1934, 1935 and 1936 and played professionally in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Brooklyn. He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1972 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

Francis also excelled in track and field and placed fourth in the shot put at the 1936 Olympics.

Funeral arrangements were pending.