Back home in Miami, they call him “Little Blue.” Of course, there's a story behind that.

Blue Adams lays out to grab one of his two interceptions against Ohio State. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        Seems years ago, Blue Adams' father, Dannie O'Neal, told folks in the neighborhood that he was a cousin of former major-league pitcher Vida Blue. Just for kicks. So people started calling Dannie “Blue,” then his son Danny - a starting cornerback for the University of Cincinnati - got tagged with the same nickname even though he has no idea who Vida Blue is.

        Little Blue didn't even know why he was called that.

        “I was never asked that question until I came here,” Adams said. “I had to call my dad and ask.”

        We are learning such things about Blue Adams because the 5-foot-10 fifth-year senior is halfway toward tying the Bearcats' single-season record for interceptions (six, held by four players) with at least 10 games left, including Saturday at Temple.

        After intercepting two passes last week against Ohio State, Adams has three this season and nine for his career - including seven in seven starts. The UC career record is 12 (Jocelyn Borgella, 1990-93).

        “At the end of the season, I'd love to have all those records,” Adams said. “But I can't look that far ahead.”

        Coming into the season, Adams had not started a game in four years. He has had an up-and-down college career because of injuries.

        He set a UC record for freshmen with four interceptions in 1998 and was named to Conference USA's All-Freshman team.

TOP INTERCEPTORS

UC career interception leaders: • Jocelyn Borgella (1990-93) 12 • Ed Bolis (1970-72) 11 • Blue Adams (1998-2002) 9 • Sam Garnes (1993-96) 9 • Keith Jenkins (1975-76) 9 • Billy Hunter (1970-72) 9 • Don Fritz (1951-53) 9

        But a knee injury sidelined him for the entire 1999 season, and his knee still bothered him in 2000, though he appeared in every game.

        Last season, Adams was a top backup and picked off two passes.

        Naturally, he is hoping a strong senior season will lead to an opportunity in the NFL.

        “Right now I'm feeling really good,” Adams said. “No aches and pains of any kind. I've been chasing this for a while. It's scary because it's getting to an end. I'm just going full speed ahead and giving it all I got. And if I swing and miss, at least I swung. If I don't, then I've got my degree in criminal justice and I can hopefully make a life out of that.”

        In December, Adams will be the first person in his immediate family to earn a degree. In fact , he was also the first to attend college. And that's saying a lot. He has 13 siblings, ages 2 to 21. His mother and father never married. Between the two, there are seven girls and seven boys. Adams said he can name them all in chronological order and by sex, but don't ask about birthdays.

Dorothy Glenn, Adams' girlfriend, and their son Danny, 14 months, cheer forAdams against Ohio State. (Jim Matthews photo) | ZOOM |

        “Man, that's an SAT question,” he said, laughing.

        Growing up about 15 minutes from the University of Miami campus, Adams was a Hurricanes fan, along with Florida and Florida State. Like many athletes from the state, he figured he'd end up playing football for one of those successful programs.

        Adams said he took official visits to only Cincinnati, Louisville and Florida, all of which offered scholarships. He was homesick his first two years at UC, but his mother, Belinda Adams, wanted him out of his environment in Miami and told him: “Don't even think about coming home. If you come back here, you're not staying in my house.”

        He remained in Cincinnati.

        Sometimes things just work out.

        Now he's somewhat of a role model for his brothers and sisters. As for what drove him as a youngster, Adams said, “I was chasing one of my cousins.

        “He's a little older than me and he went to college and played ball (at Glenville State in West Virginia) and he was attracting all of the attention,” Adams said. “He was the first one to go to college and play ball. The whole family was crazy about him. So I was just walking his path, waiting for my opportunity so that the family would go crazy over me.”

        Your turn now, Little Blue.

UC's Adams seeks interception records

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