Earnest Adams

Earnest Adams (born March 12, 1959) is an American former professional football linebacker who primarily played in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Pittsburgh Maulers and Portland Breakers, but was also a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), and played for the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

College career Adams played for the Fighting Illini at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 1977 to 1980.

Detroit Lions During the 1987 NFL season, a majority of the players went on strike, resulting in the cancellation of Week 3 games, and for Weeks 4–6 to be played with replacement players. Adams was signed by the Detroit Lions to be one of such replacement players, and he appeared in all three replacement games.

Pittsburgh Gladiators (1988) Following his brief NFL appearance, Adams came back to arena football in the summer of 1988 to play again with the Gladiators. In his second season, he was used as a receiver as well, and caught three touchdowns.