Davante Adams was meant to be a Raider, and here’s why
From Fresno State to Las Vegas, Derek Carr and Davante Adams are back together, this time in Silver and Black. The reunion has been years in the making, and Adams was meant to be a Raider all along.
Adams made his Raider debut in the 24-19 loss against the Chargers in Week 1. The former Green Bay Packer was traded to the Raiders in the offseason, and it was more than just his college quarterback in Carr that led to the deal. It was nothing but a dream for Adams to come to the Raiders.
In his first press conference as a Raider, Adams said how happy he was to play for his childhood team.
“I was a Raiders fan my whole life,” Adams said in his introductory press conference. “It is a dream to be a Raider, man. It’s a dream come true.”
Quote via the Raiders
Flash forward to the college years, and this is when the Carr recruitment story began. Adams, who was a redshirt freshman in Carr’s sophomore season, felt an instant connection with his quarterback on the field. Over the two years Adams played at Fresno State, the duo combined for 38 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards. Both Carr and Adams went in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Even after the pair of Bulldogs were drafted to different teams, they continued to live near each other in San Francisco during the offseason. The two would still meet up during that time to work out together. Even as a member of the Packers, Adams couldn’t help but rep the Raiders.
“He had this Raiders shirt he would wear when we would go hoop,” Carr said. “I never made a big deal of it because I was just hoping he was speaking it into existence. And here we are.”
Quote via ESPN Cover Story
Even last season, Carr couldn’t help himself in attempts to get his friend to Vegas. Following the Raiders’ loss to the Bengals in the AFC Wild Card, Carr sent a message to Adams. The 31-year-old told Adams whenever the wideout was ready, he’d be ready.
Adams was preparing for the playoffs as well. An NFC Divisional game against the San Francisco 49ers is how his career in Green Bay came to a close. Carr tried to be a good friend and provided Adams space, giving him a day after the loss.
That’s all he gave him, though. One day. Carr texted him the day after, as he just couldn’t help it.
For Adams, the return to the west coast was more than about football. He did what he knew was best for his family, and himself. A lot of his family is still on the west coast, making it hard for them to come to see the 29-year-old in Green Bay. Adams was also having to travel back and forth across the country just to see his family during practices.
“I had to leave every single weekend of OTAs to come back to California,” Adams said. “Literally every single weekend I was flying back and forth, two flights each way on commercial flights. Four flights each week just to see my family. I wanted to be able to do OTAs and be with my team but not have to leave my wife and kids. That’s huge for me. I’m a family man, and that was hella unnecessary travel.”
Quote via ESPN Cover Story
Prior to the trade, the Packers placed the franchise tag on Adams. He refused to play under the tag, however, which led to the wide receiver having a talk with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, who doesn’t have many years left anyway, let Adams know that his decision should be about his family, not the Packers. Like Adams said, he’s a family man, so he did just that and went off to Vegas.
While the Raiders lost Week 1, Adams had himself a great debut, hauling in 10 receptions for 141 yards, and a touchdown.
Adams wasn’t able to win a ring in Green Bay. The only thing that can make this storybook reunion perfect is hoisting the Lombardi Trophy alongside Carr. Until that day comes, Adams will enjoy every moment in the Silver and Black, because he was born to be a Raider.
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