NFL Chicago Bears Defensive End, Gaines Adams, Dies From Cardiac Arrest At 26!

Gaines Adams, Chicago Bears defensive end, has died this morning (Jan. 17th) at the Self Regional Hospital in Greenwood, SC. According to Greenwood County Coroner James T. Coursey, Adams was pronounced dead of cardiac arrest caused by an enlarged heart at approx. 9 AM.

County Coroner James T. Coursey told WYFF-TV that Adams appeared to be in good health before his passing. Gaines Adams is the second NFL player to die in the last month. In December, Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry died from complications after falling out of a moving pick-up truck. He was also 26.

The 26 yr old 6’5, 256 LBS defensive end was a college standout at Clemson and was the 4th overall draft pick in the 2007 NFL draft beginning his career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was later traded to the Bears.

Adams had 67 tackles and 13.5 sacks in 47 games with the Buccs and the Bears.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his condolences to Gaines’ family, his teammates of the Bears and Buccaneers and released in a statement that he remembers Adams as “a fine young man” in the 2007 Draft that will be a loss to the organization.