Ioannis Mavroudis
The case of Phillip Adams, a former NFL player who committed a mass murder in April 2021, shocked the nation and raised troubling questions about the impact of brain injuries, specifically chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), in professional athletes. Adams, who played for several teams over six seasons in the NFL, fatally shot six people, including two children, before taking his own life. His actions devastated the families involved and brought attention to the potential link between repeated head injuries and violent behavior.
The Phillip Adams Murders: A Timeline of Events
On April 7, 2021, Phillip Adams entered the home of Dr. Robert Lesslie, a prominent physician in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Adams shot and killed Dr. Lesslie, his wife Barbara, their two grandchildren (Adah, aged 9, and Noah Lesslie, aged 5), and two workers, James Lewis and Robert Shook, who were working at the Lesslie home at the time. Both men were HVAC technicians, and only Shook survived the initial shooting, though he later died from his injuries.
Following the brutal murders, Adams fled to a relative’s house nearby. After a standoff with police, Adams took his own life. The sudden and unprovoked nature of the attack shocked the community and left investigators searching for answers regarding Adams’ motive.
Phillip Adams’ Background
Born in 1988 in South Carolina, Phillip Adams grew up as a talented athlete, excelling in football. He went on to play for South Carolina State University before being drafted into the NFL in 2010. Over his career, Adams played as a cornerback for multiple teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons.
While Adams had a solid career, he never became a household name and struggled with injuries, including multiple concussions and a significant ankle injury. After leaving the NFL, Adams faced personal struggles, including declining mental health, but he had no known history of violence before the shootings. His family noted that his behavior had become increasingly erratic in the months leading up to the incident, and they suspected that Adams’ mental health issues were connected to his football career.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Its Role in the Case
Shortly after Adams’ death, his brain was examined for signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries. CTE has been found in the brains of many former NFL players, often linked to violent behavior, memory loss, mood swings, and cognitive decline. These symptoms tend to worsen over time and can lead to erratic, aggressive, or even violent behavior.
In December 2021, results from the examination of Adams’ brain confirmed that he had Stage 2 CTE, a stage associated with significant damage to the brain, but not the most advanced stage of the disease. According to medical experts, Adams’ CTE was unusually severe for someone his age, and they believed it likely contributed to his mental health decline and violent actions.
The Connection Between CTE and Violent Behavior
CTE is caused by repeated blows to the head, commonly seen in contact sports like football. Over time, these impacts cause brain degeneration, leading to the development of abnormal tau proteins, which build up and kill brain cells. The areas of the brain most affected include those responsible for impulse control, judgment, and emotion regulation—the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus.
Research has shown that individuals with CTE may suffer from:
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Impaired judgment
• Aggressive behavior
• Increased impulsivityIn advanced cases, CTE has been linked to violent outbursts and self-harm, with several high-profile cases of former athletes committing suicide or engaging in violent behavior. Adams’ case was another tragic reminder of the potential risks associated with contact sports and the long-term effects of repeated concussions.
The Impact of the Murders
The deaths of Dr. Robert Lesslie and his family devastated the Rock Hill community, where Dr. Lesslie was a well-known and respected figure. He had been a practicing physician for over 40 years, authoring books on medicine and faith. His contributions to the community and the senselessness of his murder shocked many.
The deaths of James Lewis and Robert Shook, both working men caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, further compounded the tragedy. Lewis died at the scene, while Shook fought for his life for several days before succumbing to his injuries. Their deaths highlighted the randomness and brutality of the crime.
A Broader Conversation: Football and CTE
Phillip Adams’ case added to the growing body of evidence suggesting a link between CTE and violent behavior. In recent years, several former NFL players, including Junior Seau, Aaron Hernandez, and Dave Duerson, have been posthumously diagnosed with CTE after committing violent acts or taking their own lives.
The NFL has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of concussions and its role in the long-term health of its players. In 2013, the league reached a historic settlement with thousands of former players who had sued over the long-term effects of concussions, agreeing to pay out over $1 billion to address their medical needs. However, cases like Phillip Adams’ continue to raise questions about whether enough is being done to protect players from the long-term consequences of head injuries.
Conclusion
The Phillip Adams case serves as a tragic reminder of the potential dangers associated with repeated head trauma in contact sports. His descent into violence and the subsequent diagnosis of CTE have sparked important conversations about player safety, mental health, and the responsibility of professional sports organizations to care for their athletes, both during and after their careers.
While the exact role CTE played in Adams’ violent actions can never be fully known, it is clear that his brain disease contributed to his mental health decline and erratic behavior. His case adds to a growing body of evidence linking CTE to violent behavior and highlights the need for continued research and better prevention strategies for head injuries in contact sports.
The families of Dr. Robert Lesslie, Barbara Lesslie, Adah Lesslie, Noah Lesslie, James Lewis, and Robert Shook will forever bear the scars of this tragedy. It is essential that their memory be honored as discussions continue around brain injuries, mental health, and the future of football.
Phillip Adams’ Diagnosis and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
After Phillip Adams’ tragic crime and subsequent death in April 2021, his brain was analyzed by experts at the Boston University CTE Center, where he was posthumously diagnosed with Stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). The findings revealed that Adams’ brain had significant damage from repeated head trauma, which may have contributed to his declining mental state and the violent actions he committed. Adams had a history of concussions from his six-season career in the NFL, which is likely what led to his CTE diagnosis.
What Is CTE?
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in individuals who have suffered repeated head injuries or concussions. The condition is particularly prevalent among athletes involved in contact sports like football, boxing, and hockey, as well as military veterans who have been exposed to blast injuries. CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously through an autopsy, which typically reveals the accumulation of tau proteins in the brain, causing widespread neurodegeneration.
Stages of CTE
CTE is classified into four stages, with each stage corresponding to the level of brain degeneration:
- Stage 1: Mild symptoms, such as headaches and some attention deficits, begin to appear.
- Stage 2: Symptoms of memory loss, mood swings, depression, and impulsive behavior become more prominent.
- Stage 3: Cognitive decline and more severe memory problems manifest, along with confusion, paranoia, and significant behavioral changes.
- Stage 4: The most advanced stage, characterized by full-blown dementia, profound cognitive impairment, and severe personality changes.
Phillip Adams was found to have Stage 2 CTE, which is associated with symptoms like memory loss, depression, impulsivity, mood swings, and behavioral outbursts—all of which may have contributed to his deteriorating mental health and eventual violent behavior.
Causes of CTE
CTE is caused by repeated head trauma, including concussions and sub-concussive hits, which do not always result in immediate symptoms. Over time, these blows to the head cause damage to the brain tissue, leading to the buildup of abnormal tau proteins. These proteins accumulate in the brain, primarily affecting regions involved in emotion regulation, decision-making, and memory.
The primary brain regions affected by CTE include:
- Prefrontal Cortex: Responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and judgment.
- Amygdala: Governs emotional processing, fear, and aggression.
- Hippocampus: Essential for memory formation and spatial awareness.
In the case of athletes like Phillip Adams, repeated concussions during their career may go unnoticed or untreated, but the long-term impact can be severe, leading to gradual neurological decline and significant behavioral changes.
Phillip Adams’ Brain Function and the Impact of CTE on His Behavior
1. Impaired Prefrontal Cortex Function and Impulse Control
One of the most affected areas of the brain in individuals with CTE is the prefrontal cortex, which plays a critical role in impulse control, decision-making, and moral reasoning. Dysfunction in this region can lead to poor decision-making and a diminished ability to regulate behavior, particularly aggressive or impulsive actions.
In the case of Phillip Adams, his actions on April 7, 2021, were likely influenced by severe deficits in impulse control. Without proper prefrontal cortex function, Adams would have struggled to assess the consequences of his actions or manage his emotions. This dysfunction could explain the sudden, unprovoked nature of the attack on Dr. Robert Lesslie and his family.
CTE-associated damage to the prefrontal cortex also impairs a person’s ability to differentiate right from wrong. Adams, who had no prior history of violence, may have had his ability to judge the morality of his actions severely diminished due to the impact of CTE.
2. Emotional Dysregulation and Aggression (Amygdala Dysfunction)
The amygdala is crucial for emotional regulation, fear response, and aggression control. In people with CTE, damage to the amygdala leads to mood swings, irritability, and explosive outbursts of anger. This region helps individuals modulate their emotions and respond appropriately to stressful or threatening situations.
Adams’ violent outburst, culminating in the murder of six people, suggests that his amygdala was severely compromised. His behavior on the day of the murders showed a complete loss of emotional control and a disproportionate reaction to any stress he may have been experiencing. This kind of emotional dysregulation is a hallmark of CTE, where individuals are prone to sudden and extreme mood changes, often leading to violence.
Adams’ family reported that his personality had changed in the months leading up to the tragedy, with increasing signs of paranoia and mood instability—classic symptoms of advanced CTE-related amygdala dysfunction.
3. Memory Loss and Confusion (Hippocampus Dysfunction)
The hippocampus plays a vital role in memory formation and recall, and it is another area commonly affected by CTE. Memory loss and confusion are often reported by individuals in the later stages of the disease, and this can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation, and even paranoia.
Phillip Adams may have been suffering from memory problems, which, coupled with his emotional instability, could have contributed to a sense of disorientation or confusion in the lead-up to the murders. The disintegration of his ability to recall events or process information accurately would have compounded his aggressive tendencies, as he may have been acting on incomplete or distorted memories.
4. Aggressive and Violent Behavior (Dopaminergic Reward System Dysfunction)
The dopaminergic reward system, which governs reward-seeking behavior and emotional response, is often dysregulated in individuals with CTE. This can lead to impulsivity, aggressive outbursts, and difficulty controlling emotions. For Adams, this dysfunction may have created an overwhelming urge to act aggressively without the typical emotional restraint that a healthy brain would apply.
Additionally, the brain’s inability to regulate dopamine levels might explain why Adams appeared detached from the consequences of his actions. The normal neurochemical feedback loop that helps individuals feel satisfaction or guilt after certain actions was likely impaired, further contributing to his erratic behavior.
The Role of CTE in the Murders
Phillip Adams’ diagnosis of CTE likely played a significant role in the murders he committed. His brain degeneration led to impaired judgment, emotional dysregulation, memory problems, and aggressive behavior. As a former professional football player, Adams had experienced multiple concussions throughout his career, which likely triggered the onset of CTE and caused a gradual decline in his cognitive and emotional capacities.
Conclusion
Phillip Adams’ tragic actions and subsequent diagnosis of Stage 2 CTE highlight the dangerous and often unseen consequences of repeated head trauma in contact sports like football. The neurodegeneration caused by CTE led to significant changes in his brain function, including impaired impulse control, emotional dysregulation, and increased aggression. These neurological deficits likely contributed to the violent murders he committed in April 2021.
Adams’ case has reignited discussions about player safety, brain injuries, and the long-term impact of contact sports on mental health. While the exact role of CTE in Adams’ actions can never be fully understood, it is clear that the disease significantly affected his behavior and decision-making. His story underscores the need for further research into CTE and the implementation of better prevention and treatment strategies for athletes and others at risk of repeated head trauma.
