Senegal-Born Defender Jean-Pierre Adams Dies After 39-Years In Coma.

Senegal-born and Former France defender Adams has died after spending 39 years in a coma, he was aged 73.

in March 17, 1982, Adams was admitted in a Lyon hospital for a knee surgery after he had suffered an injury in a match. He was futher given a near-fatal dose of anaesthetic which deprived his brain from oxygen and he never regained consciousness. 

Adams was discharged from hospital after 15 months and had been cared for at his home in the Southern French city of Nimes by his wife Bernadette, ever since.

For four decades, she has spent nearly every day caring for Jean-Pierre, changing his clothes, preparing his food, never forgetting to give him presents and often talking to him too. 

Despite the sad condition, she never once considered turning off her husband's life support machine.

According to reports, Bernadette later explained the hospital had never apologised for an accident which she could not help thinking about every day.

As a young boy, Adams left his home country of Senegal with a passion for football.

He was spotted by Nimes in 1970 and went on to score 10 goals in 98 matches for the club before playing almost 140 games and scoring 17 goals for Nice.

Adams further moved on to join Paris-Saint Germain in 1977 and played there for two seasons. He ended his playing career in 1981 after brief spells with Mulhouse and Chalon.

In a  tribute on Monday, PSG called him the club's “glorious elder.”

“His joie de vivre, his charisma and his experience command respect. Paris Saint-Germain offers its condolences to his family and loved ones,” reads a club statement.

Nimes, also said they were sending their "most sincere condolences to his loved ones and his family".

Nice said the club would pay tribute to Adams before their next home game against Monaco on 19 September.

"The club learned with heartbreaking the disappearance of Jean-Pierre Adams who was plugged into a coma... reads a club statement.

"The former defender wore the Gym colors 145 times between 1973-1977.

"OGCNice is associated with the grieve of his relatives who has looked after him for 39-years."

Even though Adams was relatively short for a central defender at 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches), he formed an imposing partnership with Marius Tresor.

The last of Adams’ international appearances was away to Denmark in 1976. He made his debut for France in 1972, and played total of 22 games for Les Bleus.