Joe Adams

Joe "747" Adams (born April 5, 1958) is an American former football player. A quarterback, he played college football at Tennessee State University, where he set the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record for career touchdown passes and was a Black college national champion. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL draft, but never signed with them. Adams then played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1982 to 1984 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts, and Ottawa Rough Riders. He threw for over 3,000 yards as the Roughriders' starting quarterback in 1982 but was released in 1983 after a poor start to the season. He spent the rest of the 1983 season with the Toronto Argonauts, winning the 71st Grey Cup as the third-string quarterback. Adams finished his CFL career with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1984. He was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2024. Adams was nicknamed "747", in reference to the Boeing 747 aircraft, due to his "rocket" strong arm.

Early life Joe Adams was born on April 5, 1958, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He also participated in basketball and track in high school. Adams stated that he switched schools because Jackson State hired a new head coach who instituted an offense where Adams would not be able to throw as much. On October 22, 1977, he completed 30 of 48 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns in a 31–28 loss to undefeated national champion Florida A&M. Jackson State athletic director Walter Reed said that Adams was never released from his letter of intent. On October 21, 1978, he helped the Tigers end Florida A&M's 17-game winning streak. He completed 13 of 14 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns as Tennessee State won by a score of 24–21. His 13.8 completions per game was the 13th best in NCAA Division I-A that year while his 190.7 total offensive yards per game was 16th best. Adams was named a Black college football All-American by the New Pittsburgh Courier. The Tigers went 8–3 and were named Black college football national champions. Sheridan Broadcasting named Adams both a first-team Black college football All-American and the Black college football Offensive Player of the Year.

Adams led Tennessee State to a 9–1 record his senior year in 1980 while throwing for a school single-season record 30 touchdowns, earning Sheridan Broadcasting first-team Black college football All-American and Offensive Player of the Year honors once again. Adams majored in communications at Tennessee State. He had a 25–7 record as a starter in college, and set school records with 8,653 career passing yards, 81 career touchdown passes, and a 54.9 completion percentage. His school record for career passing yards was not broken until 2014, when Mike German threw for 11 more yards. Adam also played the second half of the Hula Bowl as part of the East team, completing seven of 18 passes for 104 yards as the East lost 24–17 to the West.

Adams expressed disappointment after being passed over in the first six rounds of the 1981 NFL draft on April 28. Adams was disappointed at his low draft selection, stating "Yes, I felt sure I'd go much higher." Adams reported to 49ers minicamp in May and training camp in July.

On July 22, 1981, Adams was signed to a 14-day trial by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) behind starter Dieter Brock and backup Mark Jackson. Adams did not dress for any games during his stint with Winnipeg. During the preseason, he competed with former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Steve Alatorre for the team's second-string quarterback spot. On June 22, Adams threw for three touchdowns during a preseason game against the BC Lions, which solidified his spot as the No. 2 quarterback. Adams began the 1982 CFL season as the backup to starter John Hufnagel while Alatorre was traded to the Montreal Concordes. On July 24 against the Calgary Stampeders, Adams relieved Hufnagel with ten minutes left in the game. With the Roughriders down 19–10, Adams led the team on two touchdown drives while completing four of five passes for 55 yards, including a game-clinching 12-yard touchdown throw. His 355 yards were the most in a first start in franchise history. Roughriders head coach Joe Faragalli was also fired. Adams dressed, but did not play, in one game for the Argonauts in 1983 as the third-string quarterback behind Condredge Holloway and Joe Barnes.

1984 In January 1984, it was reported that Adams was trying to get out of his third-year option with the Argonauts to try and play in the United States Football League (USFL). A month into the 1984 CFL season, Adams signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders. During the game, Adams threw two interceptions as the Rough Riders lost 46–17. He dressed in seven games overall during the 1984 season, completing 42 of 78 passes (53.8%) for 501 yards, four touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He was inducted as part of the class of 2024.

As of 2023, Adams was living in Los Angeles.