Bears defensive end Gaines Adams dies at age 26

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Gaines Adams, a defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears who was an All-American at Clemson, died this morning in his hometown of Greenwood, S.C. He was 26.

He went into cardiac arrest at his family’s home and was pronounced dead an hour later at Self Regional hospital, said Marcia Kelley-Clark, chief deputy coroner for Greenwood County.

An autopsy conducted today showed Adams had an enlarged heart, a condition Kelley-Clark said can often lead to a heart attack. She said Adams’ family was not ‘aware of any kind of medical condition.’

Toxicology tests are being run by the State Law Enforcement Division, though drug use was not suspected as a factor in Adams’ death. Results of toxicology tests usually take several weeks.

Adams was selected fourth overall in the 2007 NFL draft by Tampa Bay, but was traded to the Chicago Bears in October 2009 for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft. Adams fell short of the expectations set by Buccaneers Coach Raheem Morris, who said at the start of training camp that Adams would be considered a ‘bust’ if he didn’t reach double digits in sacks.

The 6-foot-5, 258-pound defensive end was best known among Clemson fans for breaking up Wake Forest’s field goal try and returning it for a touchdown in 2006 to defeat the Demon Deacons.

-- Dan Loumena

Associated Press contributed to this report.