Phillip Adams was a journeyman defensive back who had played for five other NFL teams before he signed with the Falcons in 2015.
Adams is suspected of fatally shooting five people, including a prominent doctor, his wife and their two grandchildren before killing himself early Thursday in South Carolina.
“We are aware of the senseless tragedy in Rock Hill, S.C., involving former player Phillip Adams,” a Falcons representative said in a statement released to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We offer our heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected.”
Former Falcons coach Dan Quinn remember Adams, whom he coached in Seattle and Atlanta.
“Incredibly sad,” Quinn wrote in a text to the AJC. “Was crushed by the news. Let’s all continue to shine a light on mental health. Was shocked to hear that about Flip. The struggles post-career can be so difficult. We will never know the why. So sad for everyone affected.”
Adams, whose base salary was $750,000 in 2015, was drafted in the seventh round (224th overall) of the 2010 draft by the San Francisco 49ers after playing at South Carolina State. He played in 15 games with the 49ers his rookie season.
The 49ers cut him Sept. 11, 2011. He signed with New England on Sept. 21 that year and was cut and signed again twice. He signed with Seattle on Dec. 21. He played in six games with New England and one with Seattle, but made no starts.
Still trying to get a foothold in the NFL, he went to Raiders and played 15 games and made two starts. He started the 2012 season on the physically unable to perform list and later went on injured reserve Dec. 28, 2012.
He played the 2013 season with the Raiders and was in 16 games and made two starts. He was unable to stick with the Raiders and re-signed with Seattle on March 28, 2014, where Quinn was in his last season as the defensive coordinator.
Adams was cut by Seattle on Aug. 30, 2014 and signed by the New York Jets on Sept. 1, 2014. He played in 12 games and made four starts for the Jets. After his contract expired, he signed with the Falcons on March 12, 2015.
With the Falcons, he played in 13 games an made three starts. He finished the season with 38 tackles, four passes defensed, three tackles for losses and an interception. He was listed on the injury report one week with an ankle injury.
He had a key role in a loss to Tampa Bay.
Overall, he played in 78 games and made 11 starts.
Falcons’ 2021 draft position: Here are the top 10 picks in D. Led’s Mock Draft 4.0:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, (QB, BYU)
3. San Francisco 49ers: Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State)
4. Atlanta Falcons: Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU)
6. Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts (TE, Florida)
7. Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaylen Waddle (WR, Alabama)
9. Denver Broncos: Trey Lance (QB, North Dakota State)
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain (CB, Alabama)
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