Wallace Francis (2017) - Hall of Fame - Southwestern Athletic Conference

Hall of Fame

Early life and college

Wallace Francis was born on November 7, 1951, in Franklin, Louisiana.
He attended Franklin’s Park Avenue High School (Franklin, LA).
He went on to play his college football at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).
- At UAPB he played wide receiver from 1969–72.
- His college stats include 85 receptions for 1,785 yards and 28 touchdowns: average 17.5 yards per catch.
- Honors: First-team All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) in 1972; Second-team AIC in 1971; First-team NAIA District 17 in 1972.
UAPB later inducted him into their Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.

Professional NFL career

Francis was selected in the 5th round (110th overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Physical attributes: Height 5'11", Weight 190 lbs.
Buffalo Bills tenure: 1973–74. He made a strong mark as a kickoff returner during his rookie season.
He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 1975 and played there through 1981.
Career receiving totals: 244 receptions, 3,695 yards, 27 touchdowns. Average catch ~15.1 yards.
Notable seasons:
- 1978: 45 catches, 695 yards.
- 1979: career-high 74 catches, 1,013 yards, 8 touchdowns.
He was part of a memorable play on Nov 12, 1978, where he tipped a pass that teammate Alfred Jackson caught for the TD — a play he described as “the craziest play I have ever seen drawn up.”
He felt he had more to give but retired after 9 NFL seasons.

After football & personal life

Francis majored in community recreation and minored in sociology during college.
He later obtained an advanced degree in biblical studies.
Post-NFL: He entered ministry work. He is a minister with Ambassadors for Christ International-USA, focusing on church outreach, evangelism and training.
Personal life: He and his wife Cheryl live in Douglasville, Georgia.