Father of ex-NFL player Phillip Adams who killed 6 sues son’s alma mater over lack of head trauma treatment
Alonzo Adams, the father of former NFL defensive back Phillip Adams, is filing a lawsuit against the college where his son played football.
Adams killed six people before killing himself two years ago. An autopsy later revealed that Adams suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease that some research suggests is linked to head injuries and head injuries.
CTE has also been shown to cause violent mood swings, and memory loss in some cases. Adams’ father is arguing that his son’s alma mater, South Carolina State University, failed to follow protocol. He also believes the university did not have highly trained staff members available to treat the persistent head trauma that Adams suffered during his college football career.
FILE – San Francisco 49ers cornerback Phillip Adams (35) is treated after injuring his left leg during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams on Dec. 26, 2010 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Ganum, File)
According to the wrongful death lawsuit filed on March 31, “negligence, carelessness, recklessness, willfulness and recklessness” contributed to Adams’ death after the April 8, 2021, mass shooting in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Police found Adams with a Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
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University spokesman Sam Watson said the school does not comment on current or pending litigation.
According to the complaint, the NFL journeyman also sustained “head trauma” during his six years as a professional cornerback. During a three-game stint with the Raiders in 2012, Adams suffered two concussions.
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FILE- Atlanta Falcons defensive back Phillip Adams arrives for an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 25, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
The family told investigators that Adams complained of severe injury-related pain, had problems with his memory and struggled to sleep, the local coroner said.
His sister told USA Today after the murders that the family had noticed signs of rapidly deteriorating mental health, such as increasing anger and a lack of personal hygiene.
In this handout image provided by the NFL, Phillip Adams of the San Francisco 49ers poses for his NFL headshot circa 2010 in San Francisco, California. (NFL via Getty Images)
Because he did not retire until 2014, he would not be eligible for the test included in a comprehensive settlement between the league and former players over long-term concussion-related injuries.
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An agent previously told The Associated Press that Adams had not participated in other physical and mental health programs available to former players.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
