Rodney Adams Eyes Pickleball Stardom: NFL Veteran Rodney Adams has shifted his competitive focus to pickleball, training at The Picklr Loveland to become a professional player. Adams, who retired from football in 2022, has been working with top trainers, including Kyle Yates and Eli Steiner, to develop his skills.
From the NFL to the Pickleball Court
Adams, now 30 and living in Timnath, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. After stepping away from football, he discovered a passion for pickleball earlier this year. Since then, he has dedicated himself to reaching the sport’s highest level.
At The Picklr Loveland, Adams is receiving guidance from professional pickleball trainer Eli Steiner, 2024 Pickleball Hall of Fame inductee Kyle Yates, and The Picklr Loveland owner Leslie Arnold.
“Wherever Rodney ends up, he’ll get there because he believes in himself. We at The Picklr Loveland believe in Rodney and will ensure he has the tools and support needed to get where he is going. Our tagline is ‘Where Pros are Made,’ and we provide training for first-time players as well those aspiring to turn pro.” – (Arnold)
Training With Pickleball’s Best
Adams has been working closely with Kyle Yates, a former No. 1-ranked pickleball player and a co-owner of The Picklr franchises on the Front Range. Yates sees great potential in Adams, given his background in high-level competition.
“Rodney knows what it takes to train and compete at the highest level of sports, though pickleball should be a unique challenge for him – which seems only to motivate him even more. His determination is contagious; I’m excited to help him achieve his goals in this new sport. To get to where he wants to be, he must be trained by people who can get him there, and we at The Picklr have that experience.” – (Yates)
Adams himself is thrilled to be training with such experienced players.
“I never dreamed when I walked into The Picklr Loveland that I’d then be training with pickleball hall of famer Kyle Yates and he’d be providing the path for me to take my pickleball to the next level!” – (Adams)
Football Work Ethic Fuels Pickleball Ambitions
Adams is applying the same discipline, focus, and intensity that helped him reach the NFL. He even refers to The Picklr Loveland as “the facility,” a term commonly used by NFL players for their team’s training centers.
His introduction to pickleball came from a former football teammate who played the sport. However, while under contract in the NFL, Adams was prohibited from participating in other sports. Now that his football career is behind him, he is eager to embrace the challenge of pickleball.
“My main focus is now to compete at the highest level. Pickleball gave me a glint in my eye – the same as I had with football – and I just knew where my next journey was. I then reached out for advice on how to turn pro, which led me to The Picklr Loveland.” – (adams)
A New Chapter in Competitive Sports
Adams’ transition from professional football to pickleball highlights the growing appeal of the sport, particularly among former athletes. With expert coaching and his relentless drive, he is on track to make a name for himself in pickleball.
As he continues to train at The Picklr Loveland, all eyes will be on Adams to see how far he can go in his new pursuit. His story is another example of pickleball’s rapid rise and its ability to attract elite competitors from other sports.
News in Brief: Rodney Adams Eyes Pickleball Stardom
Former NFL wide receiver Rodney Adams is training at The Picklr Loveland to become a professional pickleball player. Working with top trainers, including Kyle Yates and Eli Steiner, Adams is using his NFL work ethic to pursue the sport at the highest level. He sees pickleball as his next big challenge.
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