Who is NFL pro Phillip Adams and how did he die? Patrizia Rizzo, SEO Reporter Updated: Apr 8 2021, 12:05 ET Patrizia Rizzo, SEO Reporter Invalid Date, NFL player Phillip Adams was named as the gunman involved in the mass shooting of five in South Carolina. * 3 Who is NFL pro Phillip Adams and how did he die? Phillip Adams, 32, was a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets. Adams got his start in the NFL after getting drafted in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The athlete attended South Carolina University and also played football while there.