Yesterday, two families have lost one of their respective members: Julius Adams and Kevin Turner have passed away. A third family affected by the loss are the New England Patriots, for whom both Adams and Turner have played during their professional football careers.
Julius Adams was born on April 26, 1948 in Macon, Georgia and after a four year career at Texas Southern University was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1971 draft. Adams quickly became one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL and a fixture on New England's defense, a role he held for 16 seasons.
In 1980, Adams was voted to his lone Pro Bowl. Five years later, he was a key member of the Patriots' first Super Bowl team. 22 years after his retirement, Adams, who spent his entire career in Foxboro, was voted to the team's 50th anniversary team -- once again showing how good and important a player Adams has been. Yesterday, Julius Adams passed away. He was 67 years old.
Kevin Turner was never voted to a Pro Bowl or a Patriots anniversary team, nor did he spend his entire season in New England. That was not his job -- his job was helping others do theirs. Turner was born on June 12, 1969 in Prattville, Alabama and enrolled at Alabama playing fullback, helping Bobby Humphrey become a future first round pick.
Turner was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round in 1992 and spent his next three years in Foxboro. He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he spent the rest of his eight year career. In 2010, Turner was diagnosed with ALS. As a result of the disease he passed away yesterday. Turner was only 46 years old.
Our thoughts go to the families of Julius Adams and Kevin Turner. May they have strength and support in this hardest of all imaginable times.
Godspeed, Julius. Godspeed, Kevin.