Gaines Adams dead at 26

Gaines Adams, a defensive end for the Chicago Bears, died Sunday morning in South Carolina, according to the county coroner. Adams was 26. The Greenville News

Gaines Adams, a defensive end for the Chicago Bears, died Sunday morning in South Carolina, according to the county coroner. Adams was 26.

The Greenville News first reported Adams was admitted to the emergency room at Self Regional Hospital at 8 a.m. According to television reports, Adams was pronounced dead a half-hour later.

County coroner James T. Coursey told the NFL Network that "health issues" prompted Adams' girlfriend to call an ambulance. Coursey also said Adams had no history of health problems.

A spokesman of the Greenwood County coroner's office said a preliminary autopsy indicated Adams died of cardiac arrest, caused by an enlarged heart.

Adams played college football at Clemson and was taken fourth overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears acquired Adams in a trade from Tampa last October.

The Bears released a statement Sunday afternoon: "We are stunned and saddened by the news of Gaines' passing. Our prayers are with his family during this difficult time."