Doug Adams (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (1949–1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Doug Adams
| image = Ddn043010adams 677414a.JPG
| number = 52
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date|1949|11|3}}
| birth_place = Xenia, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1997|8|9|1949|11|3}}
| death_place = Brown County, Ohio, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 225
| high_school = Xenia (OH)
| college = Ohio State
| draftyear = 1971
| draftround = 7
| draftpick = 165
| pastteams = * Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|1971}}–{{NFL Year|1974}})
| highlights = * 2× National champion (1968, 1970)
- First-team All-Big Ten (1969)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (1970)
| pfr = A/AdamDo20
}}
Douglas O. Adams (November 3, 1949 – August 9, 1997) was an American professional football linebacker who played four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL).
Early life
Adams was the son of Armic and Edna Adams. He attended Xenia High School in Xenia, Ohio.{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/adam02250.html | title=DOUG ADAMS | publisher=profootballarchives.com | accessdate=November 14, 2014 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125542/http://www.profootballarchives.com/adam02250.html | url-status=dead }} He was named XHS MVP in 1966, MVP in the Western Ohio League in 1966, and selected to WOL, Southwestern, and All-Ohio All-Star teams. He was named 1st Team Scholastic All-American and a High School All-American in 1966.{{Cite web |title=Class of 2011 |url=https://www.xeniaathletichalloffame.com/class-of-2011 |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=Xenia Athletic HoF |language=en}} He also ran track.
Adams was named to the Xenia Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2011.
College career
Adams played college football at Ohio State University and started for three seasons at OSU, helping the Buckeyes compile a 27–2 record. He was one of the "Super Sophs," a starting linebacker who helped lead the Buckeyes to the 1968 national title. in Adams' three years, the Buckeyes won two Big 10 titles and played in two Rose Bowls.{{Cite web |title=Doug Adams, a linebacker on Ohio State's |url=https://apnews.com/article/a595215d663bab9be4b0d7dd9c47961f |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}
Professional career
Adams was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 1971 NFL draft. After he was cut by the Broncos, he was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in early September.{{Cite web |title=The Cincinnati Enquirer 14 Sep 1971, page Page 25 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/104448268/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}
In his four years with the Bengals, he played in 49 games, starting 10. In 1972, his second season, he intercepted 3 passes, returning them for 44 yards.{{Cite web |title=Doug Adams Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AdamDo20.htm |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
He retired after the 1974 season at age 25 after battling a knee injury,{{Cite web |title=The Cincinnati Enquirer 13 Aug 1997, page Page 6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/102336679/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}} and he returned to Ohio State to earn a dental degree.{{Cite web |title=Ohio State football: Person's personal tribute |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/2008/12/26/ohio-state-football-person-s/23950313007/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Adams was a dentist with a practice near Mt. Orab,{{Cite web |title=The Cincinnati Enquirer 13 Aug 1997, page Page 6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/102336679/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}} and he resided in Georgetown, both in Brown County, Ohio.{{Cite web |date=1997-08-12 |title=EX-BUCKEYE, BENGAL DIES IN CRASH |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-08-12-9708120186-story.html |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=Chicago Tribune}}
He died at age 47 while cycling on August 9, 1997, when he was hit by a driver who had fallen asleep.{{cite web | url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/sports/high-school/the-xenia-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/nNCPz/ | title=The Xenia gift that keeps on giving | publisher=daytondailynews.com | accessdate=November 14, 2014}}
After his death, to honor Adams, Xenia High School raised funds for the new Doug Adams Fitness Center, which opened in the fall of 2000. His career is memorialized in a display case just outside the room. The Buccaneers play in Doug Adams Stadium.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-14 |title=Xenia Community Schools tackle Doug Adams Stadium renovation project |url=https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/xenia-community-schools-tackle-doug-adams-stadium-renovation-project/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=WDTN.com |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{1968 Ohio State Buckeyes football navbox}}
{{1970 Ohio State Buckeyes football navbox}}
{{Broncos1971DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Doug}}
Category:Players of American football from Ohio
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Sportspeople from Xenia, Ohio