Hall of Fame
A native of Savannah, Georgia, Burney Adams came to Florida A&M University following a stint in the United States Military, going from walk-on to standout under the legendary coach Jake Gaither. Adams, whose fierce determination on the field earned him the nickname “Killer Boy,” also earned a spot on the varsity squad in 1958, and was one of three freshmen to make the Rattler travel squad.
He was a member of the undefeated Black College National Championship teams in 1959 and 1961, and FAMU’s 1962 Associated Press Small College National Championship team, for which he served as team captain. The 1962 Lineman of the Year as a senior, Adams was also a first-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection and an All-America nominee in 1962.
After graduation, Adams spent the next 42 years teaching and coaching at Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey, where he served 36 years as head football coach, producing a number of college players during his tenure.
