Bears’ Gaines Adams, 26, Dies While Visiting Family in South Carolina

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Jan 17, 2010

Bears' Gaines Adams, 26, Dies While Visiting Family in South Carolina Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams died Sunday in his hometown of Greenwood, S.C.

According to TigerIllustrated.com, Greenwood county coroner James T. Coursey said the 26-year-old Adams was dead upon his arrival at the Self Regional Memorial Hospital emergency room. He was unable to be resuscitated, and pronounced dead at 8:21 a.m.

Coursey told ESPN.com that the preliminary autopsy on Sunday indicated Adams died of cardiac arrest caused by an enlarged heart. It is unlikely there will be a conclusive announcement of cause of death until results from toxicology tests come in, which could take up to six weeks.

The Chicago Sun Times reported that, according to Coursey, Adams appeared to be in perfect health.

Adams, the fourth-overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft by Tampa Bay, was traded before the 2009 season to the Bears for a 2010 second-round pick. The former Clemson star played 47 games in his three-year NFL career, recording 13 1/2 sacks. In his senior season at Clemson, Adams was named a first team All-American by The Associated Press and tied the all-time sack lead in Tigers history with 28 over the course of his career.

"I didn't know him that well because he came in during the middle of the season," Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune. "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."

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