JAMAL ADAMS: HIS STYLE, HIS STORY
Just in time for the football star’s comeback to the field, our interview with Jamal Adams in partnership with Nfm Magazine is here to inspire both fashion and football lovers everywhere.
By Christy Kioko
October 18, 2023
Sitting down with Jamal Adams in the Presidential Suite at the Lotte Hotel is much like sitting down with the President himself, so it makes sense as to why this man has been dubbed “The Prez”. But, further than that—it’s a mindset. We all have a vision of the person we want to be, and the power of the words we write, speak, and think usually tends to manifest. Jamal Adams knew this since the beginning of his career and has made himself a statement on the Seattle Seahawks team since he joined in 2020.
Talking all things fashion and lifestyle, from being feautured in Vogue, to Paris Fashion Week, Mike Amiri jeans, his day-to-day routine, and even his recovery—Jamal keeps it real in our interview, with many notable statements that are sure to inspire many. Coming back onto the field after 385 days off spent recovering from what many thought would be a career-ending injury to his quad, Jamal has proven that time is necessary for growth, healing, learning, and success.
Photo by Dustin Adams for The Style Series.
“THE GAME”
There is a game to be played in the world of fashion, and if we were to choose, Jamal would be our top ten pick. The football star refers to fashion as “The Game” several times in our interview.
On set at the Lotte Hotel, Seattle. Photo by Dalton Wafula for The Style Series.
“There’s no rules in The Game, no rules at all”
With the rise of social media, fashion as a whole is becoming less intimidating and it appears that the world of fashion and football is also colliding. Many players want to “be that guy”—and not just in their pre-game fit. “It’s a different ball game now,” Jamal told us. “In football, not everybody was dressing up. No one was doing that.” Now, we all know that sports stars like Russell Westbrook and many others have set the tone when it comes to pre-game fits but Jamal has taken the fashion world by storm when it comes to his everyday looks. So, who taught him The Game? That is when we got to hear about Allen Onyia, his stylist. Since college, AO has taught Jamal The Game over the past seven years, as his style coach. The two have been inseparable since.“He showed me how to dress”, says Jamal, and AO, who was on set with us, smiled humbly to his friend. We tried to invite him in, but he insisted the interview be focused on The Prez. On set was also The Prez’s hairstylist, and and his photographer, Julian Otavo, and all three made sure Jamal looked and felt his best on set. What a team!
Photo by Dustin Adams for The Style Series.
JAMAL’S PERSONAL STYLE
“I’m kind of liking the old school look—I like the 90s,” you know, the baggy style with a cropped look? Jamal says that’s where he believes the game is going. Wearing an oversized knit vest with nylon and polyester pants and a pair of refined Off-White shades, the style star sported a cool representation of his 90s style. When asked about his pre-game fits, his mindset is “I’m showing you what I got on and how I’m coming to the game, and that’s how I’m trying to perform on the field…I want everything perfect. Where does this admiration for fashion come from? Well, watch the interview to hear the “Sharpie Swipe” story.
Jamal Adams on set at The Lotte Hotel. Photo by Julian Otavo.
“Because if it’s not perfect on game day—and something’s off, like, one little thing, then I’m off.”
And when The Prez steps onto the field, we know its game time.
“Look good. Feel good. Play good.”
JAMAL ON THE SEATTLE FASHION SCENE
Our scariest topic. Every time we ask our guests what their thoughts are on the style and fashion of Seattle, we brace ourselves. “Seattle is very different for me coming from New York,” Jamal said when we asked him. “Not everybody’s into fashion—you either like it or you don’t” he went on to say. Seattle, known for the booming tech industry and outdoor style sported by its inhabitants, has always has a bad rep when it comes to the game of fashion. But Jamal’s response to this question was to our surprise, especially given he is not a native. Though not everyone’s a fan, we believe the future of fashion in Seattle is blossoming. More on that later.
THE REBUILD
“Sometimes in life, you go through things, and you have trials and tribulations. You live, and you learn…the main thing is just growing.”
The pain Jamal felt through his recovery was evident in our conversation. He expressed how it was the lowest he’d ever felt—helpless in a wheelchair as he watched his teammates play the game he loves. Meanwhile, social media played an evil role within the past year with the widespread reaction to his injury. After over a year off the field, Jamal opens up for the first time ever about his journey of recovery. “Life is gonna life..life is going to give you trials and tribulations. It’s all about how you respond to it.” Jamal has definitely been given his fair share of lemons, but he says the biggest ones have taught him patience and gratitude. “To be sitting here with you ladies is a blessing because I couldn’t even sit in a chair. Once I understood what makes me happy in life, and I understood what my life and career are about, I was at peace with everything.”
In his time off the field, fashion became Jamal’s outlet. “If that’s what you wanna do, go make it happen. I said I wanted to be a top 10 pick, I said I wanted to break a record, I said I wanted to be in the fashion world…don’t let anybody stop you”. A man who is famously blending the world of fashion and football, The Prez is not stopping anytime soon. Having played a full game for the first time this season this past weekend, Jamal Adams has rebuilt himself inside and out, and his joy showed that summer day in July. So, what’s next for this style icon? Well, he plans to win the Superbowl, like his father, continue to love fashion, and do what makes him happy.
Photos courtesy of Jamal Adams.
