26 Facts About Gaines Adams

Gaines Adams was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League for three seasons.

Gaines Adams played college football for Clemson University, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American.

Gaines Adams was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears of the NFL.

Gaines Adams attended Fork Union Military Academy in 2001 and recorded 58 tackles, 22 sacks, and two interceptions in 10 games.

Gaines Adams was a three-year starter at Cambridge Academy, a small private school which only had an 8-man football team, where he was a dominant wide receiver and defensive end.

Gaines Adams had 158 career receptions for 4,394 yards and 65 touchdowns, as well as 341 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 33 sacks in his career, and was a two-time All-state honoree.

Gaines Adams chose Clemson over Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Gaines Adams had narrowed down his choices to North Carolina and Clemson, then signed with Clemson after the Tar Heels unexpectedly rescinded their offer.

Gaines Adams attended Clemson University, and played for the Clemson Tigers football team from 2002 to 2006.

Gaines Adams considered coming out for the NFL Draft after his sophomore year, but after the underclassman panel gave him a conservatively low ranking he decided to stay for his junior year.

Gaines Adams' 2005 junior season was a breakout year for him.

Gaines Adams totaled 56 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and forced three fumbles while starting at boundary defensive end.

Gaines Adams lived up to his reputation by starting all 12 games, recording 12.5 sacks, causing 2 fumbles and recovering 3.

Gaines Adams was chosen by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round as the fourth overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Gaines Adams signed a six-year deal with the Buccaneers on July 26,2007, worth $46 million, with $18.6 million guaranteed.

Gaines Adams registered his first solo sack against the Atlanta Falcons in week 11 of the 2007 season.

In 2007, Gaines Adams had 35 tackles, 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Gaines Adams led all rookies with his six sacks and gained him a place in the 2007 NFL All-Rookie team.

Gaines Adams played in Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff loss to the New York Giants and finished the game with five tackles and one sack.

In 2008, Gaines Adams recorded two sacks against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.

Gaines Adams recorded his first career interception and returned it for his first career touchdown in a Week 3 overtime win over the Chicago Bears.

In Week 8, in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Gaines Adams recorded two sacks.

On October 19,2009, Gaines Adams was traded to the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

In 10 games for the Bears, Gaines Adams had 7 combined tackles, 1 pass deflection and 1 forced fumble.

Gaines Adams was taken to the emergency room at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, South Carolina on the morning of January 17,2010, after his girlfriend found him at home.

The coroner confirmed, after an autopsy, that Gaines Adams died of cardiac arrest due to cardiomyopathy.