Chicago Bears Defensive End Gaines Adams Dead at 26

Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams was pronounced dead at a Greenwood, SC hospital this morning. Greenwood County Coroner James T. Coursey told ESPN that Adams died in the emergency room at Self Regional Hospital.  Adams went into cardiac arrest at his family's home early Sunday morning, said Marcia Kelley-Clark, chief deputy coroner for Greenwood County.

An autopsy showed Adams had an enlarged heart, a condition Kelley-Clark said can often lead to a heart attack. But Adams' relatives didn't know about it.

"Nobody was aware of any kind of medical condition," Kelley-Clark said.

Toxicology tests are being run by the State Law Enforcement Division, though drug use was not suspected as a factor in Adams' death. Those results probably will not be available for at least two months, Kelley-Clark said.

Adams, 26, was listed at 6-foot-5 and 256 pounds and played his college ball at Clemson .He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2007 draft. In 47 games over four seasons with the Bucs and Bears, Adams had 67tackles, including 13.5 sacks.

"We are stunned and saddened by the news of Gaines' passing," the Bears said in a statement. "Our prayers are with his family during this difficult time.