Philip Adams murdered a doctor, his wife, two grandchildren, and two repairmen. His case is one of several that have raised questions about whether there is a link between traumatic head injuries and violence.
The family of a former American football player who shot and killed six people before taking his own life is suing the NFL, claiming his death was caused by head injuries sustained during his playing days, Sky News understands. did.
In 2021, Philip Adams welcomed doctor Robert Leslie, 70, and his wife Barbara Leslie, 69, at their home in Rock Hill, South Carolina, with their grandchildren Ada, 9, and 5. He was killed along with 2-year-old Noah.
He also shot and killed two people who were working at the house, air conditioner repairman James Lewis and Robert Shook, both 38 years old.
After Adams' death, his brain was analyzed and found to be an unusually severe case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head.
Adams' father, Alonzo Adams, had previously filed a wrongful death lawsuit against South Carolina State University, the college team where his son played.
He accused the club of being “negligent” in educating Phillip Adams about head injuries and failing to provide better protection for players. According to Sky News, his family's lawyers plan to file a motion to amend the complaint to include the NFL.
From 2010 to 2016, Adams played in the NFL as a defensive back for various teams, including the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots.
Adams' father told local news station WCNC Charlotte at the time of the murder that he believed his son's career led to his downfall.
“I would say he’s a good kid,” Adams said. “I think football messed him up.”
recent sky news We investigated the relationship between head trauma and violent crime..
In 2021, former high school football star Noah Greene crashed his car into a barricade at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., killing police officer William Evans.
Studies of his brain revealed that he suffered from CTE, the same brain disease as Philip Adams.
His mother, Maisie Green, believes his actions that day can be explained by injuries sustained on the football field.
“Nothing like this should have happened that day,” she told Sky News. “If there is a problem with kids playing soccer for fun, someone has to be responsible for telling parents what to do.”
There are growing calls to investigate the link between gang violence and head injuries.
Robert Card had evidence of a traumatic brain injury before his death. shot dead 18 people According to an analysis of brain tissue commissioned by the state's chief medical examiner last year.
South Carolina State University said in a statement regarding Philip Adams: “While the university mourns the tragic loss of life involving Philip Adams, the university denies the allegations in the lawsuit.
“South Carolina State University employs trained and qualified medical professionals and athletic trainers and believes that there is no support for claims that Mr. Adams' death was the result of any action or omission by the university. There is.”
Sky News has contacted the NFL for comment.
