On the third anniversary of the death of Georgia Tech football player Brandon Adams, another former Yellow Jacket launched a campaign to honor his memory. Wednesday, Sean Tobin, who was a long snapper for Tech between 2011 and 2015, initiated a fundraiser for Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, a cause that Adams supported through visits to one of the two Ronald McDonald Houses in Atlanta.
Tobin, who has been involved with the charity since the end of his Tech career and is now an advisory council member for Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, has frequently invited Tech football players to visit the house on Peachtree Dunwoody Road, which provides housing and meals for families with children being treated at nearby hospitals. During his time at Tech, Adams was often part of the group, Tobin said.
“He always wanted to go; he always wanted to brighten their day,” Tobin told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “So I thought this is the perfect time to raise some money for a really good cause and let Brandon’s legacy live on.”
Adams died March 23, 2019, after he collapsed during a break from practicing a step dancing routine with fraternity brothers. His passing came as a shock to the Tech team, institute and fan base. Adams, a defensive tackle with potential to play in the NFL, had come to be known for his friendly demeanor and heart for serving the community, particularly children.
He also gave his time to visits to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and collected clothes to donate to the Gateway Center, a homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta.
“Brandon just always wanted to help people,” Chris Martin, a former Tech teammate and close friend of Adams, said in 2020. “Just being kind – that was just kind of who he was.”
Tobin is seeking to raise $50,000. If that goal is met, the charity will name the house’s game room in Adams’ honor. As of Thursday afternoon, the total was about $1,850. Tobin said that a Tech donor told him that if $12,500 is raised, he will match the donations to bring the total to $25,000.
“I just thought it was a great way to honor him,” Tobin said.
To learn more about the fundraiser for the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities in Adams’ honor, click here.
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