It is with great sadness that we report the sudden passing Monday, October 26 of former NFL Europe/German Football League player and German Olympic silver-medal winning bobsledder Richard Adjei.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Adjei, to the German Olympic, NFL Europe and German Football League community.
Adjei played linebacker for the Rhein Fire and Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe and for the Düsseldorf Panther in the German Football League. He also won junior world championship medals before making the German team for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Adjei teamed with pilot Thomas Florschutz to take silver in the two-man bobsled event in Vancouver.
At the 2011 worlds, Adjei won a gold medal in the four-man event with pilot Manuel Machata.
Adjei’s death was announced by his brother, Jason, on Instagram on Tuesday.
In the post, Jason wrote:
“Unfortunately Richard Adjei passed away last night (Monday, October 26) at the age of 37 in the arms of his wife and me.
“His wife gave him all the love in the world on his last journey. Part of the family could still say goodbye to him. Please think of his children and wife. Mourn with us in silence. He was a great athlete, dad, husband / friend, mentor and brother. He was a proud native of Düsseldorf. I am grateful to have had such a brother. Love you AJ.”
Former teammate Manuel Machata posted a tribute on Facebook, calling Adjei “a cheerful, optimistic and ambitious person who helped many people in his life and made them laugh.”
Three-time US Olympic medalist Elana Meyers-Taylor also paid tribute to Adjei on Instagram, writing:
“My ally in the early days of sliding when we were both just trying to figure it out. I am extremely grateful to have known you and have had you in my life.”
The cause of death has not been announced.