SAD STORY OF JEAN-PIERRE ADAMS

One of the saddest football story but in same time one of the best love story. Tragic but also the amazng story of France footballer Jean-Pierre Adams, who is in coma for more then 34 years. Apparently simple operation led to fatal results.

Adams was born in Dakar, where he grew up until his 10th year. He leaves his hometown with his grandmother and going on a pilgrimage in Montargis, Loiret. There he was adopted by Franch family. During his studies he worked at local rubber manufacturer. He also played football for local clubs. He first played for Fontainebleau with which he won amateur championship of France, twice. After few seasons he went to first league side Nimes. In first league he spent 9 seasons where he also played for Nice and PSG. Near the end of his career he spent one season in second division club Mulhouse and amateur Chalon.

With his good games he reached France national team. In total he played 22 games from 1972 to 1976. During his time in national team he did a great competitive and friendly tandem with one of the best stopper of all time, Marius Tresor. Journalists called them "Black Guard"! They were intransitive.

Marius Tresor and Jean-Pierre Adams

After the end of his career he began to train youths. On one of these trainings he injured knee becouse of which he had to have surgery. It was a minor injury and the operation should be the same way, but it cost him the life that he knew. 17 March in 1982 he was sent to surgery. After an apparent medical error there were complications and he suffered a bronchospasm which starved his brain of oxygen, slipping into a coma. He still is in coma.

The whole case went to court. Doctor anesthesiologist and a trainee were given one-month suspension and were fined for about $ 800.

Adams now has 68 years and he spent in coma more than half of his life. But his family is still hoping for a miracle. His wife Bernadette, whom he married in April 1969, take care of him along with their two sons. Their relationship was met with a lot disapproval, especially from Bernadette side, becouse she was white and he was black stranger from Senegal. Anyway, love won.

Adams wife Bernadette

Adams breathe independently, without help of medical equipment, but all other vital organs are backed by medical technology. The wife is one who takes care of him every day. Every day his is changing his clothes, bath him and feed him. Despite everything his condition is the same but his wife says: "I am convicted that he feels me, me and our sons. He can hear and experience us. And nurses confirm us that".

His wife now receives a pension for her husband who is in coma and had great support from former footballers and the football assocation.

She is aware of the possibility of recovery are almost impossible but it doesn't change my relationship to my husband says Bernadette, adding: "There's always hope, we are here to preserve his legacy and dignity. For me time stopped 17 March 1982. Since than no changes. We consulted with the world's best neurologists who have told us that the damages are big and there is no hope to wake up. But he is not getting older, he has only few gray hairs."

They used to ask her if she had ever tought about euthanasia her husband on which she answered: "What do you want me to do -- deprive him of food? Let him die little by little? No way. Life is sacred. I don't even think of euthanasia. I can not decide for him."

"Everybody hopes that he wil come out of the coma. But the more time passes, the more it troubles me. But his condition does not get any worse, so who knows? Medical science evolves so if one day they will know how to do something for him, then why not? "- said Bernadette for which hope dies last.

UPDATE: Adams died on 6 September 2021 at the age of 73, after being in coma for 39 years.

Career of Jean-Pierre trough stickers

Jean-Pierre Adams- Nimes 1971/72 "Football en action"

Jean-Pierre Adams- Nimes 1972/73 "Football en match"

Jean-Pierre Adams Nice 1974/75 "Football 1974/75"

Jean-Pierre Adams- Nice 1975-76 "Panini France Football 76"

Jean-Pierre Adams- Nice 1976/77 "Panini France Football 77"

Jean-Pierre Adams- PSG 1977/78 "Panini France Football 78"

Jean-Pierre Adams- PSG 1978/79 "Panini France Football 79"

Jean-Pierre Adams- Mulhouse 1979/80 "Panini France Football 80"