Adams 11th active NFL player to die since 2000
One month following the tragic passing of Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, the NFL lost another active player when Bears defensive end Gaines Adams died at the age of 26 after going into cardiac arrest on Sunday. Adams' death marked the eighth time since January 2007 and the 11th time since 2000 that an active NFL player has died.
Here's a look at the players and the circumstances of their deaths:
(Note: Pat Tillman, who left the Arizona Cardinals to join the United States Army Rangers, and Ennis Haywood, who never made the Dallas Cowboys' active roster, are not included below.)
Jan. 17, 2010
Gaines Adams, DE, Chicago Bears
Adams , 26,went into cardiac arrest at his family's home in Greenwood, S.C., early Sunday morning and was pronounced dead about an hour later at Self Regional Hospital. An autopsy conducted Sunday showed Adams had an enlarged heart, a condition Kelley-Clark said can often lead to a heart attack.
Dec. 17, 2009
Chris Henry, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Henry , 26, died Thursday morning from severe head injuries suffered after falling out of the rear end of a truck Wednesday afternoon in Charlotte. The accident occurred following a "domestic situation" in which Henry subsequently jumped into the back of the truck being driven by his fiancée.
March 2009
Marquis Cooper, LB, Oakland Raiders; Corey Smith(notes), free agent
Cooper
Smith
Cooper and Smith were among four men reported missing after they embarked on a fishing trip off Florida's Gulf Coast in early March. On March 2, Nick Schuyler was rescued after being found clinging to an overturned boat. The Coast Guard suspended its search the following day. The bodies of Cooper, Smith and William Bleakley were never discovered and they are presumed dead.
Nov. 27, 2007
Sean Taylor(notes), FS, Washington Redskins
Taylor died after being shot in the leg by an intruder in his home in South Florida the day before. On Nov. 30, 2007, four people were detained in connection with Taylor's death and eventually arrested. A fifth suspect was arrested in May 2008. Though one of the suspects accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 29 years, a trial has yet to take place.
May 28, 2007
Marquise Hill(notes), DL, New England Patriots
Hill died while jet-skiing with a friend on Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain. Rough waters knocked the pair off their jet ski. Hill helped his friend, Ashley Blazio, stay afloat – and alive – by giving her survival instructions until he was pulled under by the currents.
Feb. 24, 2007
Damien Nash(notes), RB, Denver Broncos
Nash collapsed and died after an appearance in a charity basketball game in St. Louis. The charity event was a fundraiser to benefit the Darris Nash Find A Heart Foundation, a charity which raises funds for heart transplant research. It is believed that Nash was stricken with a heart condition.
Jan. 1, 2007
Darrent Williams(notes), CB, Denver Broncos
Williams was killed while with fellow Broncos when his limo was sprayed by bullets after a nightclub dispute following a New Year's Eve party. Willie D. Clark has been charged with first-degree murder but has yet to stand trial
Aug. 25, 2005
Thomas Herrion, OL, San Francisco 49ers
Herrion collapsed in the locker room and died shortly after the 49ers' preseason game against the Broncos. The cause of death was later determined to be heart disease.
Aug. 21, 2001
Korey Stringer, OL, Minnesota Vikings
Stringer died of heat stroke a day after collapsing at a practice session during which the heat index reached 110 degrees. Stringer's widow Kelci later filed a suit against the NFL and settled.
July 4, 2000
Fred Lane, RB, Carolina Panthers
Lane, 24, was shot in the chest and in the head at close range by his wife Deidra about an hour after arriving at the couple's home from Nashville, Tenn. Deidra Lane was released from prison in March after serving nearly a six-year sentence.
