Getty ImagesBears defensive lineman Anthony Adams was released this week, but he has no hard feelings.
In fact, Adams told Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times that he still has warm feelings for the Bears, loved his time in Chicago and completely understands the business decision the team made.
“I don’t blame them,” Adams said. “I probably would have done the same thing.”
Adams also took to Twitter to thank everyone who made him feel welcome during his five years in Chicago.
“Thank You Chicago!! Thank you to all of the coaches, all of the players, all of the former greats, and to all of the die hard fans,” Adams wrote. “Special Thank You to Richard Dent for allowing me to wear #95! I did not feel comfortable wearing it, but you were so cool about it! You all have been phenomenal to my family and my growth! Chicago will always have a place in my heart. It is the city that loved me for 5 yrs! It is the city where I witnessed the births of my 3 children! It is the city where I won my first division championship! It is the city of great food and even greater people! I have never witnessed so many fans who love the players the way you do – win or lose. It has been a honor to play for you! My family and I will forever cherish all of the relationships we built and I hope this will always be a place you will let me call home! Beardown Chicago! Let them know why you’re wearing the crown!”
And that’s how to leave a job without burning any bridges.
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“I don’t blame them,” Adams said. “I probably would have done the same thing.”
Wow, how refreshing. an honest pro athlete.
Kudos’ to him.
What a class act.
Being a Chicago resident, this is f*cking awesome.
There is a certain sense of pride one has when calling themselves a Chicagoan and I’m glad Double A felt it.
How much you want to bet that he gets a better contract than he would’ve because of this?
This is actually a classy move that few athletes do. It is hard when you are let go from any job, but this allows people to keep a high opinion of you.
Good work.
Nice way to leave town.
Nice! This brother sounds like he got some money in the bank and a future outside of football!
didn’t mean to post quite yet. Just wanted to say that The way he left/is leaving, is something pro athletes everywhere should take notice of. All too often players neglect the fans/city when they leave town, and to do it in such a classy manner as Adams, really feels like for once- this guy cares about his fans
Well done Anthony Adams!
This is a class act!
Very well done. 98.2% of professional athletes, take note.
Class act… but… wearing what crown?
Classy, and good PR for his next job.
i met him once when i was at a bears v bills game. i mean the night before the game. he was at a burger joint with his wife. really nice guy.
Nice.
Lebron James decision was very classy hahaha
Well done, and here’s hoping his next gig is a good one.
I don’t get the crown thing.
Honestly, a lot of dislike for the ‘what crown’ comment, but what crown? Tell me?
That’s right… no crown. No crown at all.
Ironic that Adams’ remarks after getting cut make me want to root for the Bears. If that city and that team inspires that kind of loyalty, they must be doing something right.
I prefer the George-Costanza-tell-off-your-boss-and-storm-out-of-the-building-with-both-guns-blazing approach, but hey, whatever works.
Now that is how you do it. However his career turns out after this he sure made a good impression of us, the fans and any organization who may be in need of a big man.
It’d be so funny if he signs with GB and torments Chicago for the next few seasons.
Elaine Beniss approves his usage of exclamation points!!!
This is how you do it when you work in an industry with only 32 employers! Not like Fat Albert who’s still blaming the Redskins for being cut by the 3rd team in a year.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;
Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We’ll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you’re wearing the crown.
You’re the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.
Words to the song
It is a business decision, and Adams is wise enough not to take it personally. His classy behavior will encourage other teams to take a second look and it sets him up for a Chicago media job when his playing days are over. Smart guy.
The Bears fight song for those that don’t get the crown part. Bear Down!
Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;
Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We’ll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you’re wearing the crown.
You’re the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.
For everyone asking about the “wearing the crown segment” of AA’s message, it is part of the lyrics for the team’s fight song (“Bear Down, Chicago Bears”) which is played during touchdowns and the like.
Class move, though. Everyone loves AA in and outside the locker room. Apparently, this dude is just hilarious also.
Just once I’d like to see the 2012 Bears line up in their T-Formation.
You know. Just to remind us how they thrilled the nation with it.
All sounds nice but he’ll probably be telling the fans from his new team in Green Bay, Detroit or Minnesota the same thing next year.
Another class act on the bears. Scumbag lions pay attention.
Unless you’re a giants fan, you shouldn’t be making fun of the bears crown lyric.
As reported this sounds great and he seems like a class act. However, lets see if his message and tone is the same after he is signed by another team.
I met Anthony at Penn State. My wife was his English instructor and he would take advantage of the opportunity for assistance during her office hours. He was always interested in improving his academics. When he learned we had a son who was playing sports, Anthony took the time to give him some advice and took an interest in him. Anthony has always been a classy individual. I hope he gets picked up by a championship-level team and gets a ring!
Sooo… the crown is words to a song lyric. Okay. But what crown are they referring to?
For the skeptics, what you see is what you get. He is the real deal and walks his talk.
no, no, the real words are “bear down, and drop a deuce…”
Good Luck out there Spice. We loved having you, and if there’s a TV job in your future there will be no shortage of offers. And if Amobi or Henry go down, be sure to leave a contact number and forwarding address.