Steve D'Shawn Francis (born February 21 1977, in Silver Spring, Maryland, bios_001003.html" target="_blank">Rockets Training Camp Bios _U.S.) is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Nicknamed "The Franchise" Francis hoping new-found maturity helps strengthen Rockets' title hopes, July 20, 2007 and self-described as "Steve-O", his on-court and off-court antics have generated considerable controversy throughout his career. He is known for his crossover dribble, driving ability, and flashy dunks.
Steve Francis is an ex-professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
He began his career as an apprentice at Chelsea, making his debut as a 17 year-old. Francis was initially a regular in the side, but the arrival of new goalkeeper Eddie Niedzwiecki in 1983 saw him relegated to the substitute's bench for most of the next three seasons. Francis returned to the first team after an injury to Niedzwiecki, but conceded 14 goals in three games over Easter 1986 and never played for the club again. He made a total of 88 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea.
He left in 1987 to join Reading for £15,000, where he made a further 250 games in between the sticks, before joining Huddersfield Town in 1993.
He was admired by many Town fans, and some say he even caused the downfall of manager Brian Horton, because during the 1997-98 season, he was dropped from the Town squad for a match against Nottingham Forest, for the less likened Derek O'Connor. Town lost the game 2-0, that was to be Horton's last game in charge before he was sacked.
He left Town in 1999 to join Northampton Town, where he made just 3 league appearances.
