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Football: Adams is speaking out for all the right reasons
BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Titus Adams was informing his fiancee of his work with the New York Giants recently, and his enthusiastic tone let Maranda Blair know things had gone well.
Titus Adams, instructing at a youth football camp in Birmingham, Ala., last month, said he would like to host a similar camp in Omaha next summer.It wasn't about mini-camp or anything to do with on-field performance. It was regarding his participation in an NFL High School Coaching Internship Program in Secaucus, N.J.
"He was talking about how much fun it was," Blair said. "I've never heard him say, 'I wish I had my morning back' after doing something like that. That's just the type of person he is."
Yet to play a single down in the National Football League, Adams isn't waiting around to make another kind of impact.
The former Nebraska defensive tackle is a prime example of NFL teams getting players where they are interested in helping. In his short time as a pro, Adams has told both the New York Jets and Giants they can count on him in the community.
"You ask about it, people set it up and it's a go," Adams said. "They kind of pick up on the guys who don't mind going out and speaking. I think the Giants do a good job putting people in the situations they're pretty good at. There's always something for everybody if they want to get involved.
"A lot of football players are getting a bad rap right now, and not all of us are like that. Being in the NFL is a blessing, and there's a lot of weight that comes with it, and I'm trying to use it in a positive way."
The 24-year-old Adams, an Omaha Creighton Prep graduate, said he was fortunate with his upbringing. But he was close enough to trouble to understand some of the kids he's now trying to help.
"I was in a neighborhood where I saw people who had choices go make the bad one," he said. "Maybe if they had somebody to look up to or listen to, it might have helped out. Even if there's 100 kids and I only get to one or two of them — shed a little light on what are the right things to do — then I gave back and did my job."
Adams, who started at NU in 2004 and 2005, reports July 26 for the beginning of his second NFL season. After being the Jets' seventh-round draft pick in 2006 and landing on their practice squad, Adams was claimed by the Giants and activated for the latter part of the regular season and playoffs.
Although he saw a future with the Jets, he reasons that the Giants wouldn't have snatched him if they hadn't needed him.
"I just want to play football really bad," he said. "I want to focus and play hard and prolong my career as long as I can, and go from there."
The NFL internship program required Adams to spend three or four days a week at Secaucus High for just more than a month. Two weeks ago, he instructed at a camp run by former Jets teammate Jerricho Cotchery in Birmingham, Ala.
Adams has taken part in other events, including Ronald McDonald House visits with the Jets. If possible, he would like to host a football camp in Omaha next summer and said he would consider coaching when his playing career ends.
This comes as no surprise to Keith Zimmer, Nebraska's assistant athletic director for student life, who couldn't recall Adams ever saying no to a request as a Husker.
"He was always eager to impact others," Zimmer said. "He did so with a warm and genuine smile."
Adams said he makes the best of being a Midwest guy in New York City.
"It's definitely a different culture, but I feel like I fit in pretty good," he said. "Every now and then I get out there — go out and enjoy myself or go sightsee — because I want to enjoy where I'm at.
"But instead of getting caught up in the city and the fast life, I'd rather get involved with the community or the local high schools, and help those kids out. I try to stay grounded."
Football: Adams is speaking out for all the right reasons
BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Titus Adams was informing his fiancee of his work with the New York Giants recently, and his enthusiastic tone let Maranda Blair know things had gone well.
Titus Adams, instructing at a youth football camp in Birmingham, Ala., last month, said he would like to host a similar camp in Omaha next summer.It wasn't about mini-camp or anything to do with on-field performance. It was regarding his participation in an NFL High School Coaching Internship Program in Secaucus, N.J.
"He was talking about how much fun it was," Blair said. "I've never heard him say, 'I wish I had my morning back' after doing something like that. That's just the type of person he is."
Yet to play a single down in the National Football League, Adams isn't waiting around to make another kind of impact.
The former Nebraska defensive tackle is a prime example of NFL teams getting players where they are interested in helping. In his short time as a pro, Adams has told both the New York Jets and Giants they can count on him in the community.
"You ask about it, people set it up and it's a go," Adams said. "They kind of pick up on the guys who don't mind going out and speaking. I think the Giants do a good job putting people in the situations they're pretty good at. There's always something for everybody if they want to get involved.
"A lot of football players are getting a bad rap right now, and not all of us are like that. Being in the NFL is a blessing, and there's a lot of weight that comes with it, and I'm trying to use it in a positive way."
The 24-year-old Adams, an Omaha Creighton Prep graduate, said he was fortunate with his upbringing. But he was close enough to trouble to understand some of the kids he's now trying to help.
"I was in a neighborhood where I saw people who had choices go make the bad one," he said. "Maybe if they had somebody to look up to or listen to, it might have helped out. Even if there's 100 kids and I only get to one or two of them — shed a little light on what are the right things to do — then I gave back and did my job."
Adams, who started at NU in 2004 and 2005, reports July 26 for the beginning of his second NFL season. After being the Jets' seventh-round draft pick in 2006 and landing on their practice squad, Adams was claimed by the Giants and activated for the latter part of the regular season and playoffs.
Although he saw a future with the Jets, he reasons that the Giants wouldn't have snatched him if they hadn't needed him.
"I just want to play football really bad," he said. "I want to focus and play hard and prolong my career as long as I can, and go from there."
The NFL internship program required Adams to spend three or four days a week at Secaucus High for just more than a month. Two weeks ago, he instructed at a camp run by former Jets teammate Jerricho Cotchery in Birmingham, Ala.
Adams has taken part in other events, including Ronald McDonald House visits with the Jets. If possible, he would like to host a football camp in Omaha next summer and said he would consider coaching when his playing career ends.
This comes as no surprise to Keith Zimmer, Nebraska's assistant athletic director for student life, who couldn't recall Adams ever saying no to a request as a Husker.
"He was always eager to impact others," Zimmer said. "He did so with a warm and genuine smile."
Adams said he makes the best of being a Midwest guy in New York City.
"It's definitely a different culture, but I feel like I fit in pretty good," he said. "Every now and then I get out there — go out and enjoy myself or go sightsee — because I want to enjoy where I'm at.
"But instead of getting caught up in the city and the fast life, I'd rather get involved with the community or the local high schools, and help those kids out. I try to stay grounded."