The son of a former NFL wide receiver who was pulled from his dying mother’s womb after she was killed by a hitman who was hired by his father, will officially graduate from his high school in Charlotte on June 5th.
Chancellor Lee Adams is the son of Cherica Adams and former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth. After his mother was gunned down in a drive-by shooting, Chancellor Lee Adams was born 10 weeks premature via emergency C-section. His mother Cherica Adams died a month after the shooting and his father was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
Back in 1992, Rae Carruth enrolled in college at the University of Colorado. He would go on to earn his degree with a double major in English. In addition to being a good student, Carruth was an outstanding athlete. He was a very talented and explosive football player. His skillset and his blazing 4.2 speed helped Carruth reach All-American status.
He would go on to the next level as he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers. Carruth signed a 4 year 3.7 million dollar deal that included a 1.3 million dollar signing bonus. The wide receiver was having a solid NFL career until he made a terrible decision.
On November 16, 1999, Rae Carruth stopped his car in front of his pregnant date’s vehicle. Another vehicle drove alongside, and shots were fired. Cherica Adams suffered four gunshot wounds. After witnessing the shooting, Rae Carruth fled the scene. He orchestrated the hit because he didn’t want to pay child support. Cherica Adams was transported to the hospital where she fell into a coma. Doctors were able to deliver the baby, but the infant suffered permanent damage.
Due to the fact he went without oxygen for 70 minutes before he was born, Chancellor Lee Adams entered the world suffering from brain damage and cerebral palsy.
His grandmother Saundra Adams has been by his side through the entire ordeal and on June 5th a milestone will be reached as Chancellor Lee will become a high school graduate. He spent a total of six years at his high school. During the first four years, he was in the Exceptional Children’s high school program. The last two years he was in a transitional program that teaches students life skills. Unfortunately, Chancellor Lee will always need a live-in caretaker. He walks with the assistance of a walker and he’s only able to speak a few words at a time.
When you think of his 21-year journey you can honestly say that Chancellor Lee Adams is thriving. A child who initially wasn’t given very long to live is now on the verge of walking across the stage and becoming an official high school graduate.
As far as walking across the stage, Chancellor Lee doesn’t plan on using his walker. He will walk across the stage standing upright while holding on to the arm of his favorite teacher.
