Chicago Bears’ defensive tackle Anthony Adams has enough pressure on him these days, but on Monday the amateur chef had a new challenge before him — making a tasty treat for a small crowd of fans.
And explaining why the Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers.
“The other team scored more points,” joked the Detroit native as he grated a cucumber. “We’ll play better next time.”
As part of a cooking demonstration, Adams and Meijer Healthy Living Advisor Maribel Alchin created a spicy raita dip — a popular Indian snack — at the Niles Meijer for about 30 people during an hour-long event. Bears enthusiasts lined up with footballs, flags and photos for Adams to sign afterward.
(PHOTOS: Cooking with Chicago Bears’ Anthony Adams.)
Though he’s no Wolfgang Puck, the athlete said he’s an expert when it comes to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and likes to add Monterrey-jack to his grilled cheese for an extra kick.
As for football, the 308-pound player said he and his teammates were too antsy to get to Green Bay Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and they ended up playing like individuals instead of a team. That won’t happen again, he said, especially when the Bears play the Packers again on Dec. 25 at Lambeau Field.
“I think we all just need to play together as opposed to doing our own thing,” he said.
The mostly-male crowd also asked Adams how he got involved in football (his mom dropped him off at a practice one day), what he likes about Chicago (the fans, his teammates and the city) and what he loves to eat (anything with calories).
He predicted his teammate Brian Urlacher will be named into the Hall of Fame this year, called Lovie Smith a father-figure and told fans he thinks Bears linebacker Lance Briggs is too important to be let go.
Losing last year’s NFC Championship to the Packers was one of the hardest moments in his career, he said, because it was the closest he had ever been to the Superbowl.
Fans lamented the team’s rough start to the season.
“You have to support them at all times,” said Carol Sig, of Norridge, who came with her 26-year-old son Carlos. “But it’s terrible seeing the quarterback sacked all the time.”
At the end of the cooking demo, fans were more excited to get an autograph from Adams than sample the white, green and red dip.
“Hopefully that turned out good,” he said with a smile.
