New York Jets rookie safety Jamal Adams caused quite a stir Monday when he said the football field is a “perfect place to die.”
He was at a fan forum for his team along with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (who also said some interesting things). He was asked about CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and the dangers of football.
Other players, including Green Bay Packers tight end Martellus Bennett, were quick to point out they didn’t in any way agree with Adams’ “perfect place to die” comments.
Apparently, neither did his coach, Todd Bowles, who told him to clear things up.
“Honestly I really did not see it getting that far,” Adams said Tuesday of the backlash, per Daniel Popper of the New York Daily News. “I was speaking about being passionate about the game that I love. And I understand that some families were affected by this disease, and I definitely didn’t mean (to offend them in) any type of way.
“My comments were simply for passion, nothing else,” Adams said. “Not one time did I say anything about CTE, didn’t say anything negative. I respect it. I understand what’s the outcome of it, and I know there’s families that are affected. But at the same time, everything’s about passion (with) what I said.”
Hopefully the rookie can learn not to use hyperbole in the future. Especially when discussing such a serious matter such as CTE.