Gaines Adams Found Dead

Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams dies at age 26 - ESPN Chicago (http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4833908)

So sad...My prayers be with the Adams family. Twenty six is much too young.......RIP

HTGT..Is becoming all too real in today's world.

From the reports, it was NOT a heart attack. A heart attack is a heart vessel closing down by a blood clot. This was different, and had nothing to do with cholesterol, eating, etc.

They're saying "enlarged heart" -- which can lead to lethal heart rhythms (ie. fast heartbeats). That's how he died.

But the enlarged heart part -- it was either actually a thick heart (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) -- which is in your genetics from birth.. or an enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) - which you can inherit or can be caused by something like a virus. It could still be drugs (cocaine) as well - but it doesn't seem like that yet.

Anyway, it's interesting because all these athletes get TONS of screening tests BEFORE they sign their million dollar contracts. Someone must've missed this one.

An interesting sad side note: Tampa Bay just traded him for a 2nd round pick to Chicago about 2-3 months ago. A morbidly good choice.

An interesting sad side note: Tampa Bay just traded him for a 2nd round pick to Chicago about 2-3 months ago. A morbidly good choice.

Yeah, I was wondering if there was another Gaines Adams when I first read the report. I was like 'wow theres a Gaines Adams in Chicago and Tampa.' Never even realized he had been traded. Personally I think the Buc's should give the Bears the 2nd round pick back. It would be a nice gesture on be half of the Buc's organization.

Anyway looks like the Bears won't be getting anything from the league.

The NFL has not given any compensatory draft picks out for players who have passed away in previous years, including Korey Stringer, Sean Taylor, Damien Nash, Darrent Williams and Marquis Hill. I highly doubt the NFL would change that now.

26 years old? what the hell is going on? RIP Adams, and god bless his family

Wow, that's awful...so young and so much potential. RIP.

he had an enlarged heart, very sad stuff

RIP Gaines.

The league really should look into reimbursing teams who loose players like this... not fair at all! RIP Gaines, I always thought he would break out sooner or later

Shocking and saddening. RIP.

Adams has a somewhat local tie, as well. He attended Fork Union Military Academy his final year of high school, before heading off to Clemson.