Jamal Adams poses with Roger Goodell after being picked No. 6 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft on April 27, 2017. (Photo: Elsa via Getty Images)
New York Jets rookie safety Jamal Adams attended a fan forum on Monday in Florham Park, New Jersey, where he answered season ticker holders’ questions while sitting next to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell here at Jets camp, taking part in a fan forum for season ticket holders along with Matt Forte & Jamal Adams. pic.twitter.com/0mfKm4B1c2
But the situation quickly took a turn for the uncomfortable when someone asked Adams about football’s close association with brain disease.
“I can speak for a lot of the guys that play the game, we live and breathe [football] and this is what we’re so passionate about. Literally if I had a perfect place to die, I would die on the field,” Adams said in response.
The statement led to applause from the crowd, after which he clarified that he was serious. “That’s not a lie,” he said. “There’s so much sacrifice that we go through as a team, and just connecting as one and winning ball games, there’s nothing like playing the game of football.”
Jets rookie Jamal Adams was asked about CTE at fan forum says "perfect place to die" would be on football field. Fans applaud.Uncomfortable.
Last week, the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) and Boston University School of Medicine released a study that found that 99 percent of all deceased NFL players they studied had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease commonly found in athletes and military veterans with a history of head trauma.
Asked about Adams’ comments later in the day, Goodell said he believed Adams was trying to show “how much he loves the game.”
“What I think he was really making the point of is how much he loves the game and how passionate he is for the game,” Goodell said. “He loves playing it, and it’s just something that means a great deal to him, and I get the emotion of that.”
As for his thoughts on fans applauding Adams’ response, Goodell added, “I think the fans understood the emotion of what he was saying, which is, we love the game, and I think they love the game. But I don’t think anyone took it as directly as that.”
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: The Blue Angels perform a fly-over prior to Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers Dezman Moses runs under a U.S. flag held by military personnel before their NFL NFC Divisional playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, California January 12, 2013. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Military singers sing 'God Bless America' prior to the Denver Broncos taking on the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Nov 17, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; members of the US military lead the Philadelphia Eagles onto the field prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Redskins 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 15: Members of the Military hold an American Flag as the National Anthem is performed before the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on November 15, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
U.S. military servicemen hold a large American flag during ceremonies before the NFL NFC Divisional playoff football game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, California, January 14, 2012. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
Military members hold a large U.S. flag on the field before the start of the Green Bay Packers versus the Philadelphia Eagles NFL football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 12, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL MILITARY)
Three F-16 fighter jets conduct a fly-over before the start of the NFL football game between Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 12, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL MILITARY)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Military members hold flags before the 2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Members of the United States Armed Forces spend a moment on the field at Heinz Field before the start of the 'Salute to Service' game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders on November 8, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 15: The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders pose for a photo with soldiers from the US Army as they honor Military Appreciation Day as the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 15, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 29-13. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 30: Military personnel run out with U.S. flags for player introductions during an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on November 30, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Giants 25-24. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 07: Charles Woodson #24 of the Oakland Raiders signs an autograph for a member of the U.S. Army prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers at O.co Coliseum on December 7, 2014 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14, 2014: Staff Sargent Anthony Wagner embraces his children after surprising them during a timeout of game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2014 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Cincinnati won 30-0. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab join forces to recap the draft in the best way they know how: letter grades! Fitz and Frank discuss all 32 teams division by division as they give a snapshot of how fans should be feeling heading into the 2024 season. The duo have key debates on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and more.
The first electric vehicle I ever drove was a Tesla Roadster in 2011. It was with great anticipation that I slid behind the wheel of the 2025 Acura ZDX Type S. Sure, it's a midsize SUV, but it wears the Type S moniker, a name reserved only for the most fun-to-drive in the Acura stable. On launch, the ZDX will be available in A-Spec and Type S trims -- both of which come equipped with a 102 kWh battery.
The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.
