African-born footballer dies after 39-years in a coma, but what happened to him?

Former French international Jean-Pierre Adams has passed away at the age of 73, after spending 39 years in a coma.

Adams was being nursed in a coma from his home, by his wife who had been there to assist the former PSG man, tirelessly throughout the years.

Adams moved to France at eight years old

The Senegal-born Adams fell in love with football while growing up in France, and played for many clubs around his adopted home city of Paris, in the French capital. Adams would eventually find himself breaking through to the professional ranks, and soon became a stalwart for Nice for who he made 140 appearances for before also turning out for PSG. 

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Adams had suffered a damaged tendon on his knee while was away on a coaching training trip in the city of Lyon. Unfortunately for him, the doctors in the city were on strike. But that left Adams undeterred as he opted to go ahead with his plans to have a procedure done on his injury regardless. 

It would prove an unfortunate decision

Unfortunately that would prove to be the last decision Adams would make in his life, as it would eventually lead to his death. Due to an anaesthetic procedure gone wrong, Adams would slip into a deep coma. There was only one anaesthetist on duty at that time, and had to care for eight patience including Adams at the same time. 

What was possibly even more frustrating for Adams and his family was the fact that the anaesthetist would eventually come out and confess that. “I was not up to the task I was entrusted with.”. Adams suffered a cardiac arrest and brain damage from that ordeal, which has subsequently resulted in him being in a coma for 39 years, even though he was effectively discharged after 15 months. 

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The anaesthetist would only be punished decades later for their role in Adams’ condition, in the mid 1990’s with a one month suspension which coincided with a 750 euros fine.

Former clubs pay tribute

Adams’ former clubs have since put out statements offering their condolences following his passing on Monday. 

“joie de vivre, charisma and experience commanded respect”. Said a statement from PSG about Adams. Nice also issued theirs stating “the club would pay tribute to Adams – who won 22 caps for France between 1972-1976 – before their next home game against Monaco on 19 September”. Nimes a club he played 84 times for said they were sending their “ “most sincere condolences to his loved ones and his family”.

Rest In Peace Jean-Pierre Adams