Keith Adams (American football)

Keith A. Adams (born November 22, 1979) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He played college football for Clemson University, and received consensus All-American honors. The Tennessee Titans chose him in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and he played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns of the NFL.

Early years
Adams was born in Norwood, Massachusetts. He attended Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he played high school football for the Westlake Lions.

College career
While attending Clemson University, Adams played for the Clemson Tigers football team from 1998 to 2000. He played in 35 games during his three-season college career and amassed 23 quarterback sacks, which left him tied for the third highest career sack total in Clemson history. Following his 1999 sophomore season, he was a firs-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) selection, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and a Football News first-team All-American. As a junior in 2000, he was again a first-team All-ACC selection and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. He majored in parks, recreation and tourism management.

2001
Adams was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round (232nd overall) in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played throughout the preseason, but was a roster cut before the start of the regular season. He was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys and played in four games his first season.

2002
He was allocated to NFL Europe and played in ten games for the Berlin Thunder. He finished the season with 55 tackles and one sack. He played in World Bowl X and helped the Thunder win their second consecutive Championship. He started the NFL season with the Cowboys but was eventually cut. He was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles on October 21.

2003
He played in 15 games for the Eagles and led the NFC in special teams tackles.

2004
He played in all 16 regular season games making two starts. He made 54 tackles and his total of 24 tackles on special teams ranked second on the team. He featured in three postseason games.

2005
He started in all 16 games for the Eagles and found a home at the weakside linebacker spot. He made 101 tackles, a career high total.

2006
He was picked up by the Carolina Panthers as an unrestricted free agent on April 13, 2006 but was then cut by the team on September 3, 2006 and signed by the Miami Dolphins.

2007
On December 12, 2007 he signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Personal
He is the son of 15-year NFL veteran Julius Adams.