Gaines Adams, 1983 - 2010

Chicago Bears Defensive End Gaines Adams has died, according to a report from Greenville, SC .  The Bears traded their upcoming second round draft pick last season to acquire the former 4th overall selection in the 2007 draft.

This from Chicago Breaking Sports:

The 26-year-old was reportedly taken to the emergency room at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood County where he died, County Coroner James T. Coursey told the Greenville News.

Adams, a star at Clemson, was the fourth pick in the 2007 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears traded a second-round draft pick for him in October, intent on rebuilding their pass rush around him.

An autopsy will be performed later today by a forensic pathologist in Anderson County, Coursey told the Greenville News.

Adams had trouble getting on the field after the Bears traded for him.  He never reached the potential of such a high draft pick in Tampa Bay.  Jerry Angelo was gambling that the defensive line coach Rod Marinelli would be able to get the most out of Adams, who was considered a prototype Cover-2 defensive end.

No matter the circumstances of his death, it’s a shame for a young man’s life to be cut short.  Our prayers are with his family and friends.

UPDATE at 12.25 by Gavin: Per Adam Schefter’s Twitter account, the coroner told him that Gaines died by cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.