By Dan PompeiMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Gaines Adams never made it to a Super Bowl, but he has been remembered in South Florida by those who knew him.
The fact that Adams is known by the public mostly for unrealized potential is disturbing to Colts defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, who worked with the fourth overall pick of the 2007 draft as an assistant coach in Tampa for two years.
"It's very sad for me to see what people think and what really happens are two different things," Coyer said. "This guy was a worker. He was the victim of being a, quote, top draft choice and what Gaines Adams needed was just reps and time.
"It's a tragedy. His smile would light up a room. Gaines was an old country Southern boy, and that guy was going to be a great player. Some guys develop at different times in their career, and it angers me some to hear people say that he didn't do anything. This guy was an OK guy, and he was a hard-working guy."
Photo: Gaines Adams never got a chance to reach his potential with the Bears. (Kiichiro Sato/AP)
According to a Wednesday report in the Greenville (S.C.) News,
toxicology tests performed by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement
Division found no additional factors contributed to the death of the
Bears defensive end. The 26-year-old died of cardiac arrest attributed
to an enlarged heart.
A second autopsy was performed on Adams as per the request of his family.
"I'll just say this," Coyer said. "I wish I had more years with Gaines Adams. He was a joy to be around -- him and his dad."
A second autopsy was performed on Adams as per the request of his family.
"I'll just say this," Coyer said. "I wish I had more years with Gaines Adams. He was a joy to be around -- him and his dad."
Register with Chicago Tribune and receive Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks newsletters for free. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
