After Jets S Jamal Adams heard his name called to his first Pro Bowl, he received a call from his father. And Adams admits their were some tears shed.
"You know, I had a moment with my father," Adams told the media on Wednesday. "He called me and he was definitely tearing up and he was happy for me. I was tearing up a little bit. I cried a little bit later just at my house by myself and it's just an honor. Dream come true and I'm excited for it."
Of course, making a Pro Bowl for the first time would send you and your parents to tears. But for Adams and his family, there's more reason to get emotional.
George Adams was drafted by the Giants 19th overall back in 1985. But, in 1986, his femur ball was dislocated from its socket and doctors told him he would never play the game he loves ever again. George didn't want to hear any of that, and decided to play through immense pain for four more seasons before calling it quits.
The elder Adams obviously had Pro Bowl dreams when he was drafted, but he could never fulfill them. Jamal, though, makes this a full circle moment with his selection.
"Yeah, it's very special because, again, his career was cut short due to injury," Jamal said. "Honestly I felt like me being drafted by the Jets it was my calling to come here where he left off and take off from there. He always wanted to make the Pro Bowl and do great things but it didn't happen that way.
"I did it for my family and I did it for myself and did it for this team. So, again, I'm excited for it but I'm also excited to have two teammates like Jason and Dre go down there and do the same thing I'm doin."
As Adams points out, he will be joined by K Jason Myers and KR Andre Roberts in Orlando. They both will appear in their first Pro Bowl, and for Roberts, it has been a long time coming.
"It feels real good," Roberts said. "I mean, it's my ninth year and fifth team. It's an honor."