Goodell on Gaines Adams: ‘He stood out’

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I’m at the Jets-Chargers game in San Diego and just spent some time with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will be watching the game from the suite of Chargers owner Dean Spanos.

Goodell said he was saddened to learn of the death today of Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams. The 26-year-old died in South Carolina this morning after being rushed to the emergency room. The initial coroner’s report indicates he died of cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.

‘It’s a sad outcome,’ Goodell said. ‘He was a terrific young man. I met him at the draft when he came in, and he stood out. He was a very caring individual. I’d seen him a couple of times, most recently in Chicago’ when Goodell spoke to the Bears in November.

‘He seemed like a very genuine, nice man. He seemed focused on being a good person, not just an NFL player. I was always taken with him.’

-- Sam Farmer