Gaines Adams Died at 26 by Cardiac Arrest

Greenwood (S.C.) County deputy coroner Marcia Kelley-Clark said: Gaines Adams died Sunday morning after going into cardiac arrest because of an enlarged heart. He had been taken to the emergency room at Self Regional Hospital in Greenwood after going into cardiac arrest at his family's Greenwood home. And  He passed away at 7:21 Chicago time.

''I thought it was one of those fake rumors that go around that you find out is a lie,'' said Cleveland Browns wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, who played with Adams at Clemson and remained a close friend.

''This time, it turned out to be a tragedy. I just hope people remember him as the great guy he was.''

Adams, a native of Greenwood, was an All-American for the Tigers before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made him the fourth overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. He led all rookies with six sacks that season.

The Bears acquired Adams from the Buccaneers in October for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft. He saw limited action this season but was expected to play a bigger role for the Bears next season.

The former Buccaneers coach and current ''Monday Night Football'' analyst Jon Gruden said.:'I talked to Gaines a couple of weeks ago,'' f''I was telling him about [Bears defensive line coach Rod Marinelli], and he was very excited to get a fresh start, and I know Rod was very excited about working with him this offseason. They had big plans for him. You would've liked Gaines. Everybody who knew Gaines liked Gaines. This is a tragic loss for us all.''