Temple University Athletics
Hard Work Pays Off
9.20.24 | Football
The surprise came at the best time for John Adams, who was not expecting the news at all. "I had no clue, I actually had no clue, not a shot, I didn't know anything,"Â John said. After working so hard since walking on in 2021, John was very deserving of this surprise.
Adams, a wide receiver from Deptford, New Jersey, had been competing in track all throughout high school, and received a good majority of his college offers for track. Although he was very good and had offers to run track at a higher level, he liked playing football more and wanted to put all of his focus there. He mentioned that his high school track coach, Coach Sherry, has helped him so much with life, and helped John become the person he is today.
His dad James, was a long time Temple employee, and got John the opportunity to try out for Temple at a camp, where he ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, and afterwards he was offered a preferred walk-on spot. Although it was not an offer just yet, preferred walk-on spots are still very hard to earn, so it was important for John to set himself apart from the other athletes. He took the opportunity and walked on, became a developmental player, and "that is where my journey all started," John said. Although his dad worked for Temple, John knew that he wanted to make a name for himself, and not use that to his advantage. He still put the work in day in and day out, and set goals for himself.
Throughout his time at Temple, Adams said that the coaches have helped him so much, and head coach Stan Drayton told him that he needed to work on his hands because they would be a valuable asset to his game and his success at Temple. He mentioned that he always asks the coaches what ways he can get better, and always took into consideration the things that they told him, as he was always looking for the opportunity to improve his game.
John has been no stranger to hard work, as he has been faced with so much adversity and tough times since he got to college. In his first few years, he was going back and forth from Temple to his hometown to help take care of his mom, he lost two of his friends, and broke his tibia and fibula. Going through an injury, and losing people close to you, many people would have backed down and let the tough time take over. John said, "I was in a dark place." Although he was going through a lot mentally, he never backed down from the opportunity he had in front of him. He responded to the adversity and tough times, and just got better and worked even harder.
John grew up an Eagles fan his whole life, and is still an Eagles fan to this day. Growing up being an Eagles fan, and earning the opportunity to play on the same field in the same stadium, and share a locker room with the team you've been a fan of your entire life is such a cool opportunity. He said "It's really a dream come true to be able to play at Lincoln Financial Field, it really is a blessing." The night before game days, part of his ritual is to call his mom before bed, and say a prayer before he goes to sleep as well. John wears the number 17 proudly, as he chose it because of his mom's birthday, which falls on the 17th. John mentioned that he has two roommates that are former Temple football players, John Mitchem and JaySun Carroll. He says, "they are damn near my family, I wouldn't change it for the world."
In Week 3 of the 2024 season, it was a big day for the Adams' family. John's dad was an honorary captain at the game against Coastal Carolina, and it was also his late friend's birthday. John said, "I'm hoping to get the big play for my friend on his birthday." And he did just that, scoring his first touchdown of the season, on his friend's birthday.
