Career
He played for Everton for two seasons from 1894 to 1896, before playing one final season for Hearts in 1896-1897. Adams once deliberately handled the ball to prevent it scoring a goal, and the outcry resulting from this incident led to the introduction of the penalty kick. After retiring as a player, Adams became a football referee.
He later emigrated to the United States and worked as a mason, and he died in New Jersey in 1943.