Marcus Adams (Canadian football)

Adams played high school football for the Giants at Ben Davis High School, where he was an all-state defensive tackle and was named a top player by USA Today.{{cite news|last1=Brewington|first1=Peter|last2=Raboin|first2=Sharon|last3=White|first3=Carolyn|title=USA TODAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: [FINAL Edition]|work=USA Today|date=August 19, 1997|page=10.C}} The Evansville Courier & Press reported that Adams was both fast and strong for a high school tackle, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.9 seconds and the strength to bench press {{Convert|350|lb|kg}}.{{cite news|last1=Engelhardt|first1=Gordon|title=HARRISON-BEN DAVIS IS GOOD PLACE TO START: [Final Edition]|work=Evansville Courier|publisher=Scripps Howard|date=August 22, 1997|page=C.3}}

Adams went on to play four seasons of college football with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (then known as Division I-AA). Starting in 33 games, Adams received several accolades while playing for the Colonels, including being named a Division I-AA third team All-American,{{cite news|title=I-AA ALL-AMERICA LIST|work=The Augusta Chronicle|date=December 19, 2001|page=C05}} a two-time first team All-Conference player, and a second team All-Conference player.{{cite news|title=MARCH 21, 2003... RIDERS KEEP SIGNING!|url=http://www.saskatchewanroughriders.ca/article/march_21__2003____riders_keep_signing_|access-date=May 4, 2016|work=Saskatchewan Roughriders|date=March 20, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604001901/http://www.saskatchewanroughriders.ca/article/march_21__2003____riders_keep_signing_|archive-date=June 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} In September 2002, he was selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his effort in a game against the Florida Atlantic Owls, where he made 5 total tackles and repeatedly pressured the quarterback (including for one sack).{{cite news|last1=Nelson|first1=Marcus|title=FAU'S RUNNING GAME STILL GOING NOWHERE: [FINAL Edition]|work=Palm Beach Post|date=September 23, 2002|page=9C}} Adams continued his successful senior year by recording 81 defensive tackles and five sacks.

On March 21, 2003, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced that they signed Adams as a free agent. Adams went on to play eight seasons with the Roughriders.

Adams received an early opportunity to start for the Roughriders after Ray Jacobs was suspended for missing practice in the preseason. Adams made his CFL debut as a defensive end on June 19, 2003, against the Toronto Argonauts.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Saskatchewan: [National Edition]|work=National Post|date=June 25, 2003|page=S7}} He went on to play in nine regular season games and record 13 tackles in his rookie season, both due to Jacobs' continued suspension and injuries to other defensive linemen later in the season.{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Game Day: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=October 25, 2003|page=E5}}{{cite book|last1=Maher|first1=Tod|last2=Gill|first2=Bob|title=The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012|date=2013|publisher=Maher Sports Media|isbn=978-0983513667|page=140}}

Adams remained with the Roughriders for the 2004 season, but he did not play in any regular season games.{{cite news|title=REGION REPORT Crush waives former Ram Woods: [Final Edition]|work=Denver Post|date=January 23, 2005|page=B.05}}

Between the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Adams played indoor football with the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League and the Peoria Rough Riders of af2.{{cite news|last1=Giese|first1=Jerry|title=Unbeaten Bandits host Peoria|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/football/amateur/unbeaten-bandits-host-peoria/article_df4b58d2-8d2b-58c2-a2b9-805ac63df776.html|access-date=May 4, 2016|work=Sioux City Journal|date=April 23, 2005}} On May 9, 2005, Adams left the Peoria Rough Riders to attend training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.{{cite news|last1=Eminian|first1=Dave|title=With the Rough Riders – 'We are a bad football team, plain and simple': [All Edition]|work=Journal Star|date=May 10, 2005|page=D1}} He acted as a backup for the Roughriders throughout the 2005 season. In July, he started in place of Nate Davis, who was unable to play due to back spasms.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Saskatchewan: [National Edition]|work=National Post|date=July 20, 2005|page=S4}} Adams went on to play in only five regular season games, where he made two sacks and four tackles.

Adams was again used primarily as a backup in the 2006 season, playing in only five games. He played in place of Nate Davis and T. J. Stancil when both players dealt with injuries.{{cite news|last1=Sandler|first1=Jeremy|title=Argos Game Day: [Toronto Edition]|work=National Post|date=July 22, 2006|page=S5}}{{cite news|title=Tonight: [MET Edition]|work=Toronto Star|date=July 22, 2006|page=E05}} In September, Adams was placed on the injured list.{{cite news|title=Saskatchewan Roughriders: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=September 23, 2006|page=E3}} He finished the season with seven tackles and a sack.

After Nate Davis was released from the Roughriders in the offseason, Adams took over as a starting defensive tackle.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS: [National Edition]|work=National Post|date=June 28, 2007|page=S4}} By mid-July, Adams was leading the CFL with four sacks.{{cite news|title=Saskatchewan Roughriders: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=July 13, 2007|page=G2}} While Adams was injured in November, he did not miss serious time, and he played a major role in the Roughriders' playoff run.{{cite news|title=This Week in the CFL: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=November 8, 2007|page=F3}} In the Western final, Adams effectively ended a BC Lions drive late in the fourth quarter by sacking opposing quarterback Dave Dickenson for a 14-yard loss. The drive ended in a punt, and the Roughriders went on to win 26–17 to move on to the Grey Cup.{{cite news|title=Grading the Lions: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=November 19, 2007|page=D2}} The Saskatchewan Roughriders won the 95th Grey Cup, defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23–19. In the championship game, Adams was part of a defense that was described as "domineering" by The Gazette.{{cite news|last1=Zurkowsky|first1=Herb|title=Defence leads Riders to promised land; Roughriders 23, Blue Bombers 19. Inexperienced Bombers QB Dinwiddie hounded all night, throws 3 interceptions: [Early Edition]|work=The Gazette|date=November 26, 2007|page=C1}} He finished the season with 35 tackles, six sacks, and one pass deflection in 16 regular season games, all of which were career highs.

Adams faced the possibility of becoming a free agent after the 2007 season, but he re-signed with the Roughriders by February 2008.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Davis, Hunt likely to test waters|work=Regina Post-Leader|date=February 15, 2008|page=C1}} Adams was challenged by Brent Curvey and Ronald Flemons in training camp, but he won the starting role for the 2008 season.{{cite news|title=On your Marcus, get set ... GO!|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=May 31, 2008|page=C2}} Playing in 14 games, he made 11 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Adams missed a regular season game in July to visit his mother, who was undergoing cancer surgery,{{cite news|last1=Zurkowsky|first1=Herb|title=Size matters when it comes to sellout crowds; Bottom line for Hunt: 'I just want to play'|work=The Gazette|date=July 20, 2008|page=B4}} and he also spent time on the injured list due to a finger injury and sprained ankle.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Learning to play hurt|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=July 29, 2008|page=C1}}{{cite news|last1=McCormick|first1=Murray|title=Boreham back up and kicking again|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=September 12, 2008|page=C2}} The Roughriders made the playoffs, but lost to the BC Lions 33–12 in the West Semi-Final.{{cite book|last1=Maher|first1=Tod|last2=Gill|first2=Bob|title=The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012|date=2013|publisher=Maher Sports Media|isbn=978-0983513667|pages=40–41}}

Adams continued to start in the 2009 season, and he recorded 33 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection while playing in all 18 regular season games. The Roughriders made it to the 97th Grey Cup, where Adams forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Keith Shologan. Facing the Montreal Alouettes, the Roughriders lost 28–27, preventing Adams from winning his second championship.{{cite news|last1=Naylor|first1=David|title=A Riders goof, an Als victory|work=The Globe and Mail|date=November 30, 2009}}

Adams again became a free agent before the 2010 season, but he re-signed with the Roughriders.{{cite news|title=In Brief|work=Vancouver Sun|date=February 18, 2010|page=D15}} He continued to regularly start and be featured in the rotation at the defensive lineman position. Adams missed Week 13 due to an injury.{{cite news|last1=Naylor|first1=David|title=CFL / WEEK 14 / PREVIEWS AND PICKS|work=The Globe and Mail|date=October 1, 2010|page=S8}} He finished the season with 27 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery across 16 regular season games. The Roughriders again made it to the Grey Cup, but they lost to the Alouettes 21–18.

Following the 2010 season, the Roughriders chose not to re-sign Adams.{{cite news|last1=McCormick|first1=Murray|title=Riders' woes spawn leadership debate; 1–6 record; Some wonder if team lacks emotion|work=National Post|date=August 18, 2011|page=B10}} The Edmonton Eskimos expressed interest, and Adams signed a contract with them for the 2011 season.{{cite news|title=Scorecard: By the numbers|work=Saint Paul Pioneer Press|date=April 20, 2011}} He never played a regular season game for the Eskimos, and was eventually released. Adams later returned to the Arena Football League and signed with the Spokane Shock in 2012 before retiring from professional football.{{cite news|title=BULLDOGS RALLY IN NINTH INNING, BEAT NEBRASKA|work=Spokesman Review|date=February 19, 2012|page=C3}}

Marcus was born to a family of athletes, with his father and uncles boxing professionally.{{cite news|last1=Harder|first1=Greg|title=Lineman getting a chunk of respect|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=June 7, 2008|page=C1}}

Adams was active in the Saskatchewan community throughout his time with the Roughriders. In March 2008, he helped coach a pee wee hockey team during a charity benefit for Dustin Lemire, a child diagnosed with leukemia.{{cite news|last1=Bissonnette|first1=Richard|title=Thanking a pair of Roughriders|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=March 18, 2008|page=C6}} Adams also coached that year in a high school training camp hosted by Matt Dominguez, a fellow Roughrider,{{cite news|last1=McCormick|first1=Murray|title=Dominguez has spring in his step for camps|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=April 10, 2008|page=C3}} and in a skills camp for the Ehrlo Monday Night Football League.{{cite news|last1=Langston|first1=Kim|title=Ranch Ehrlo writes to say: Thank you!|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=August 29, 2008|page=C4}}

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Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football defensive tackles

Category:Canadian football defensive linemen

Category:Colorado Crush players

Category:Eastern Kentucky Colonels football players

Category:Edmonton Elks players

Category:Peoria Pirates players

Category:Players of American football from Indianapolis

Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players

Category:Spokane Shock players

Category:Players of Canadian football from Indianapolis