Judge progresses CTE lawsuit in case of ex-NFL player accused of killing 6 in Rock Hill
ROCK HILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A federal judge with the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina is advancing a brain injury lawsuit in the case of a former NFL player who reportedly killed six people in Rock Hill before turning the gun on himself.
The lawsuit, filed by the father of former NFL player Phillip Adams, is bringing attention to concerns over player safety, specifically regarding head injuries sustained during Adams' time at South Carolina State University (SCSU).
The lawsuit claims that SCSU's failure to educate players about head trauma and the risks of concussions may have contributed to the Rock Hill slayings.
On April 7, 2021, Phillip Adams, 32, was accused of fatally shooting Dr. Robert Lesslie, his wife, Barbara, and their two grandchildren, Adah and Noah, before turning the gun on himself.
Two HVAC contractors working outside the Lesslie home, James Lewis and Robert Shook, were also shot. Lewis died at the scene.
Just months after the incident, in Adams' autopsy, a coroner diagnosed Adams with Stage Two Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition often linked to repeated head injuries, such as concussions.
CTE can reportedly lead to symptoms like memory loss, personality changes, and mood swings, and is believed to have played a part in many cases of violence among former athletes.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Phillip's father, Alonzo Adams, claims that SCSU and the NFL were negligent in their handling of the risks associated with head injuries.
The lawsuit states that from 2006 to 2009, during his time playing for the SCSU football team, Adams suffered repeated head trauma. Adams argues that the university did not have the proper policies in place to ensure players' safety or to educate them about the risks of head injuries. The lawsuit also accuses SCSU of failing to properly train staff and create a safe environment for athletes.
'The university did not educate Phillip or other players on the risks of head trauma, and that negligence contributed to his decline,' Alonzo Adams states in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also points to the NFL's responsibility, noting that Adams played for several NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and Oakland Raiders.
Adams argues that the NFL knew the risks of repeated head injuries but failed to take adequate steps to protect players, contributing to Phillip's mental decline.
The suit specifically targets both SCSU and the NFL, as well as the NFL Properties LLC, alleging negligence and wrongful death.
A recent development in this case occurred when a federal court ruled in favor of remanding the case back to state court, dismissing the NFL's argument that the claims were preempted by labor agreements between the league and its players.
According to released documents, the court determined that the case should proceed under South Carolina law, as it did not substantially depend on the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) between the NFL and its players.
This ruling marks an important step for the Adams family in this wrongful death lawsuit.
The motion to remand was granted on March 31, 2025, meaning that the case will be heard in a South Carolina state court rather than a federal court, making it easier for local legal proceedings to continue without the added complexity of federal jurisdiction.
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