Ex-Chicago Bear stresses backup plan at Stanton School

Always have a backup plan was the lesson stressed Monday as students listened to former Chicago Bear Anthony "Spice" Adams at Stanton School in Fox Lake.

The host of "Inside the Bears" talked to more than 300 fifth- through eighth-grade students about making good choices, peer pressure, and his life on and off the field.

"I want to drive home that if you want to play professional sports, you always have to have a Plan B," said the one-time NFL defensive lineman. "At some point in time, your body is going to give out and then you have to find something else you're passionate about. If you find that one thing that you're passionate about, you will never have to work again a day in your life."

Adams played professional football for nine years, including five with the Bears, before retiring in 2013. He also played for the San Fransisco 49ers and graduated from Penn State University.

"I think it's a great message and it will really help some students make the right choices and put them on the right path," seventh-grader Kyron Lasksky said after having lunch with Adams and some other students. "The fact the he used to play and how popular he is, is really cool."