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Chicago Bears Gaines Adams Dies of Cardiac Arrest

playerpress.com Written by playerpress.com, Sunday January 17 2010
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Bears defensive end Gaines Adams died early Sunday morning of cardiac arrest resulting from an enlarged heart. Adams, 26, was taken to the emergency room at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood county S.C. at 7:14 a.m. ET and was pronounced dead at 8:21 a.m..

 

Adams owned a house in Greenwood and a County Sheriff's investigator said that Adams and his girlfriend were at the home at the time, and that the girlfriend reportedly made the call to 911 at around 7 a.m.

 

It has been reported that toxicology tests are being run by the State Law Enforcement Division, though drug or alcohol use is not suspected as a factor in Adams' death. The  results of those tests will probably not be available for at least two months.  

 

Prior to his death Sunday morning, nobody was aware of any kind of medical condition with Adams.

 

The Chicago Bears issued a statement Sunday afternoon, saying, "We are stunned and saddened by the news of Gaines' passing. Our prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told the Los Angeles Time's Sam Farmer: "It's a sad outcome. He was a terrific young man. I met him at the draft when he came in, and he stood out. He was a very caring individual. I'd seen him a couple of times, most recently in Chicago.

 

"He seemed like a very genuine, nice man," Goodell continued. "He seemed focused on being a good person, not just an NFL player. I was always taken with him."

Adams was traded to Chicago from Tampa Bay in exchange for a 2010 second-round draft pick, and his unexpected death shocked teammates.

 

Adams, a star player at Clemson University, was the fourth pick of the 2007 draft by the Buccaneers. The Bears traded for him in October, intent on rebuilding their pass rush around him.

 

"It's crazy," Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "I didn't know him that well because he came in during the middle of the season. But I did know him. I still saw him every day when I went into work. It's just weird. I had a teammate die when I was in college. You just don't know how to handle it. It's just sad, man. It's a bad deal."

 

On his Twitter page, Bears' Alex Brown posted, "Please send out your prayers to Gaines Adams family he was a great teammate and will be missed. Cherish life, we only get one. God Bless!"

 

On his Twitter page, Bears' Jason McKie posted: "please keep Gaines Adams family in your prayers he was a great person and teammate..life is too short ...we love you Gaines."

 

Former Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks was a mentor to Adams both on and off the field said, "All the time he was in Tampa it was always about him as a player and what he did and didn't do as the fourth pick in the draft,'' Brooks told the Tampa Tribune.The people didn't get to know who he really was or how connected he was with his hometown and how he was starting to work toward giving back to his community."

 

Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris said, "Gaines will be missed by all of us, especially by his teammates in our locker room. He was a true team player and a positive influence to everyone he met. My prayers go out to his family."

 

Buccaneers Cornerback Ronde Barber said, "Gaines was a quiet, humble kid and is far too young to be gone. He had so much potential that had yet to be achieved and I am very sad that the full extent of his life won't be realized."

 

Former Clemson assistant coach Ron West said "This was the kind of kid that you wanted to be your son,'' said West, Adams' position coach for several years with the Tigers. "He was a beautiful kid.''

 

Tommy Bowden, Adams' head coach at Clemson when he played there, said he couldn't believe the young player was gone.

 

"I just couldn't believe it was Gaines," Bowden said. "I will always remember the smile he had on his face and I will always remember his patience."

 

Adams did not have any reported prior medical issues that would have revealed heart issues.

 


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2 comments


0 up down 0
BeltwayboyBeltwayboy, over 2 years ago said:

I agree with you. It just goes to show us all how you can never take life for granted and tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

0 up down 0
Nolan ThomasNolan Thomas, over 2 years ago said:

This is a shame that such a healthy young man passes away. My prayers go out to his family and friends.