Former bounty hunter, bodyguard joins Bombers

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This article was published 04/10/2022 (1120 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KEION Adams had a fascinating career away from the gridiron prior to coming up north to the CFL.

The defensive end, who was signed to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ practice roster last week one day after getting cut by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was a bounty hunter who also worked in executive protection and private security in Atlanta.

After a short stint in the NFL, Adams provided security services for some big name rappers such as 2 Chainz, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross and Lil Baby.

“Yeah, so, my major is criminal justice and minor in sociology, so that’s kinda my field of work and what I wanted to get into,” said the 27-year-old product of Western Michigan University.

“So, while I had some time off from football, I decided to jump into it.”

Shortly after Tuesday’s practice at IG Field, Adams wasn’t interested in talking about his time chasing criminals and protecting rap superstars. His focus is on football, which is probably a good thing as he was working with the starters and could find himself on the field on Saturday when the Bombers host the Edmonton Elks. The Bombers traded defensive end Cedric Wilcots II to Hamilton on Tuesday for defensive back Alden Darby Jr., and star defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, who was sidelined for last week’s game against the Riders with a hip injury, didn’t participate at practice.

With Adams on the roster, the Bombers felt they could afford to part ways with Wilcots. The Bombers are fortunate to have Adams as he had several options on the table when the Riders let him go.

“A few teams (called). Three teams. It was just looking at the rosters, looking at what was the best situation, the best fit for me. I felt like that was here in Winnipeg,” said Adams.

“The atmosphere, the players, the coaches, just everything. It’s a championship mentality here and I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Adams was drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. A shoulder injury derailed his rookie season and he spent 2018 on the practice roster before the Steelers released him. The New York Giants gave Adams a shot at redemption in 2019, but the North Carolina native got hurt again and didn’t make the team.

Adams then signed with Saskatchewan at the end of 2020 and went on to register four sacks and 26 tackles in 16 career games with the Riders.

“I’m excited to get back doing what I love,” Adams said. “And to be in a new space, in Winnipeg. Excited to have that opportunity to show what I can do.”

ALFORD GRABS FIRST NFL PICK

Former Bombers defensive back Dee Alford came up clutch for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 2021 Grey Cup champion intercepted Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett to close out the game and give Atlanta a 23-20 victory. Alford made the Falcons, his hometown team, after shining with the Bombers last season as a rookie.

It’s his first career NFL interception.

“He called game, man. As a team and as an organization we’re excited for him and we’re rooting for him… Don’t come back here, bro,” said Bombers defensive back Winston Rose with a laugh.

“We’re still in a group chat with all the guys from last year. We check in with him every game and let him we’re rooting for him.”

INJURY UPDATE

Drew Wolitarsky and Greg Ellingson remained in street clothes on Tuesday, but the two injured wide receivers were running around and catching passes. That’s the most either one of them has done at practice since their respective injuries. Fellow pass catcher Carlton Agudosi also seems to be progressing as he’s no longer in a walking boot. He was on the sidelines playing catch.

Left tackle Stanley Bryant was a spectator. Bryant didn’t practice last week but still ended up playing against the Riders on Friday.

PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros and receiver Nic Demski have been named CFL Top Performers for their efforts in Friday’s 31-13 win over the Roughriders in Week 17.

Collaros connected on 14 of 25 pass attempts for 296 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions.

Demski grabbed a pair of touchdowns and had five catches for 94 yards.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

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