FAYETTEVILLE — When Arkansas receiver Joe Adams was told he had su◊ered a minor stroke, the sophomore’s reaction was a familiar one.

“I thought I was too young,” Adams said.

It didn’t take long for the confusion, uncertainty and disbelief to subside in the Little Rock native, though. Soon, it was replaced by something else - determination he would work his way back to the fi eld this year.

“They said I had (a stroke) one day and the next day I was trying to get back out here,” Adams said. “I wasn’t worried about it.”

Adams made an impressive - and inspirational - return in Arkansas’ 63-27 win against Eastern Michigan last Saturday, catching three passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Afterward, Adams admitted the medical scare was one that has changed his outlook on life, but it never really altered his thoughts on football. He planned to run routes, catch passes and score touchdowns again.

He did that against the Eagles little more than three weeks after su◊ering his minor stroke. He’ll be a big part of Arkansas’ offensive plans Saturday, too, when the Hogs play South Carolina in Razorback Stadium.

There’s no doubt Adams’ returnmeans a lot to the Razorbacks on the field because of his speed and playmaking abilities. But Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said seeing Adams healthy and happy has had another e◊ect on the Hogs.

“We have a player like no other team probably has ever had,” Petrino said. “Su◊ered a mild stroke, which hurts everybody’s feelings. Everyone is looking out for Joe and is concerned about him. To get him back and the energy and the smile that he brought with him, and the fact that, ‘Hey, this is a game I truly love and I’m so happy to be back playing it,’ I think lifts everybody on the team.”

Adams’ teammates said finding out the receiver had su◊ered a stroke was a shocking revelation in the days leading up to the Auburn game.

In fact, running back Michael Smith said he and several players needed clarification. They were searching for answers, thinking it had to be a mistake. Older people su◊er strokes.

“He was so young,” Smith said. “But we talked to a couple of doctors when they come in and out and we tried to figure out what really happened. They said that sometimes young guys, that can happen to young guys.”

It’s not the first time it has happened in sports, either.One example: Former New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke in 2005, but recovered and continued his career.

Dr. Al Gordon, Arkansas’ medical director, said in an interview two weeks ago that treating an athlete for a stroke was new to him in his 15 years in sports medicine. But Gordon also said then that Adams was recovering well.

Adams’ teammates noticed, too. “We all just wanted him to get better as a person,” tight end D.J. Williams said. “He got back to walking around, working out. Then we started joking, calling him an old man.”

Adams didn’t mind the ribbing. Waiting for the OKto return was killing him, He traveled with the team to Florida and Ole Miss, but had to watch the Razorbacks lose without him.

“I felt like I was healthy enough to play, but I can’t go o◊what I think. I have to go o◊what the doctors say,” Adams said. “It was really frustrating. You team is out there and not playing like they’re capable of playing. When we don’t come out with a win, it’s hard.”

But Adams looked like he was making up for lost time last week.

He absorbed a big hit on his first catch, broke a tackle and drew a face mask penalty. All told, it was a 33-yard play.

Quarterback Ryan Mallett found Adams for a 10-yardtouchdown early in the second quarter. A little later, Adams notched the longest catch of his career on a 78-yard touchdown.

After the game, Adams talked about how thankful he was to be back. The Razorbacks said it was great to see Adams healthy and happy, to. The players are also thankful that Adams will be a big part of their offensive plans throughout the season’s fi nal month.

“It was just a blessing that God took care of him and he’s back out here,” Williams said.

Sports, Pages 7 on 11/05/2009

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