ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Nearly three years after former professional football player Phillip Adams killed six people and then himself in Rock Hill, South Carolina, his family is now adding the National Football League to their lawsuit against his alma mater.
A judge in Orangeburg County's civil court granted a motion by Adams' estate on Monday, March 25, to add the NFL to their ongoing complaint against South Carolina State University. The new complaint against the league largely mirrors the one filed against the school: that the NFL failed to properly care for Adams and had him play a sport that caused him head trauma.
The complaint also says Adams' son, identified by the initials P.A., has been facing trauma and grief because of Adams' death. The suit asks both SC State and the NFL to repay damages and face any necessary punishments deemed appropriate by either the court or jury.
Adams killed six people during the shooting at a home on April 7, 2021: Robert and Barbara Lesslie; grandsons Adah and Noah; and HVAC technicians James Lewis and Robert Shook.
In the months after the shooting, experts said Adams suffered from severe brain damage caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. The York County Coroner's Office said in December 2021 that Adams' family indicated he had complained of pain, memory issues, and difficulty sleeping.
"His 20-year career put him at high risk for development of CTE," said Dr. Ann McKee, a Boston University researcher who studied Adams' brain at the time. "It's a progressive disease that worsens with age. In many instances, it is a disease of the young."
Rock Hill Police also said in the weeks after the shooting they found several guns and notebooks filled with cryptic writings at Adams' home during their investigation.
As of publication, records show the NFL has not responded to the amended complaint. WCNC Charlotte has asked the league for comment.
Rock Hill is about 27 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Orangeburg County, South Carolina is roughly 44 miles southwest of the state capital of Columbia.
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.