Former Giants RB George Adams, Jamal Adams’ Dad, Still Has 1 Advantage Over His Son
Jamal Adams begins his first season in Seattle having achieved plenty so far.
A first-round pick in 2017 who spent his first three years with the Jets, Adams is one of the game’s top players. But before Adams reached the pros, he was just the son of former NFL running back George Adams.
George didn’t record the accolades his son has achieved. But the elder Adams, who spent most of his career with the New York Giants, has one major advantage over his son.
Jamal Adams is one of the NFL’s best players
Jamal Adams had every trait the New York Jets wanted in their secondary.
An All-SEC safety at LSU, Adams brought speed and playmaking ability to a defense that desperately needed both. New York drafted Adams with the sixth overall pick in 2017, a decision they may come to regret.
Any misgivings, though, aren’t because Adams resembled a bust. Adams impressed as a rookie and started all 16 games before breaking out in 2018. Adams had 115 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 12 pass breakups, and a 38-yard interception that year.
The second-year safety earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, setting himself up for a big 2019 season. Adams followed through, totaling 6.5 sacks, breaking up seven passes, forcing two fumbles, and even scoring two touchdowns.
Adams returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown and did the same with a fumble, but for 25 yards. The stellar season again earned Adams a Pro Bowl spot and first-team All-Pro honors.
New York traded Adams to Seattle when the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement on a new contract. Aams’ off-field behavior, including calling head coach Adam Gase out in interviews, also played a role in his departure.
Adams’ father, George, played seven NFL seasons
Much like fellow 2017 first-round pick Christian McCaffrey, Jamal Adams is the son of a former NFL player.
George Adams, a standout running back from Kentucky, entered the NFL in 1985. Adams, like his son, was a first-round pick, although George went 19th overall.
Primarily playing fullback in the NFL, George Adams totaled 886 rushing yards and three touchdowns in six seasons. Adams also caught 111 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.
The elder Adams returned kicks and even had 83 yards from scrimmage in the 1985 playoffs.
George Adams still has one advantage over his son
Before Jamal Adams entered the NFL, George Adams had two advantages over his son.
George won a Super Bowl with the 1986 Giants and was drafted 19th overall. Jamal, the sixth pick in 2017, already passed his father in one category.
As for the Super Bowl champion part, George may not hold that record much longer. Seattle is considered one of the NFC’s favorites to reach Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla., come February.
Odds Shark gave Seattle the seventh-highest odds of winning the Super Bowl through Sept. 10, 2020. Seattle (+1600) ranked fifth in the NFC.
For now, George holds the ring advantage over his son. But if Jamal continues his stellar play and Seattle steps up, they may be tied sooner rather than later.
Betting odds courtesy of Odds Shark as of Sept. 11, 2020.
