Soccer Star Jean-Pierre Adams Dies After Spending Nearly Four Decades in a Coma

French soccer player Jean-Pierre Adams has died after spending nearly four decades in a coma.

Adams began his soccer career in Fontainebleu before relocating to Nimes, France. He was known internationally as being one of the first Black players to play with the organization. The Senegalese-born soccer pro played for Nimes from 1970 to 1973. From 1977 to 1979, he played for Paris Saint-Germain.

Sadly, the prominent athlete’s life was forever altered when he underwent knee surgery to repair a damaged tendon. The hospital staff was on strike at the time of the procedure, leaving Adams to be cared for exclusively by an anesthesiologist and an inexperienced trainee. This improper care led to “numerous errors,” the most damning of which was the incorrect placement of the breathing tube. This blocked the path to his lungs, which caused cardiac arrest and extensive brain damage. He slipped into a coma and has never recovered.

Nimes Olympique and Paris Saint-Germain have both offered their condolences, with PSG calling Adams one of their “glorious former players” in a statement.

Nous avons appris ce matin la disparition de Jean-Pierre Adams.

Il avait porté les couleurs du Nîmes Olympique à 84 reprises et formait avec Marius Trésor "la garde noire" en Équipe de France.

Le Club présente ses plus sincères condoléances à ses proches et à sa famille. pic.twitter.com/jt5AqinXDg

— 🐊 Nîmes Olympique (@nimesolympique) September 6, 2021

Adams was 73-years-old at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette, who cared for him at their home for 39 years, and their two sons Frédéric and Laurent.