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Canadian Isaiah Adams Heads Home To Help Grow Cardinals' Fan Base

Offensive lineman held football camp for kids in Calgary

Canadian Isaiah Adams took part in the team's excursion north of the border -- to Calgary, Alberta, specifically -- as the Cardinals seek to widen their international fan base.
Canadian Isaiah Adams took part in the team's excursion north of the border -- to Calgary, Alberta, specifically -- as the Cardinals seek to widen their international fan base.

Growing up in Canada, Isaiah Adams was in the minority. In a country surrounded by hockey royalty, Adams had dreams of representing the nation in the NFL.

On one of his first trips back to Canada since achieving that goal, the right guard saw firsthand how fast the sport has grown.

"I think rewarding is the word," said Adams, who was part of a Cardinals contingent that visited Alberta last week. "You're a part of something that's bigger than yourself, and that's what I'm realizing. We're at the early stages of growing the sport in Canada. To be a part of that in any way that I can is huge."

It was an eventful and impactful trip to Canada as the Cardinals do their part to help grow the sport globally. Adams, joined by Big Red, held a meet and greet followed by a visit to the Calgary Stampede rodeo. With a smile on his face, Adams admitted he took mental notes and didn't ride any animals, per the coaching staff's request.

On one of the final days of the trip, Adams held a kids camp with hundreds of people in attendance.

"Growing up playing football, I didn't ever get the opportunity to see an NFL player live in the flesh," Adams said. "For some of these kids, I bet it was huge to see the finish line."

The purpose of the NFL's Global Markets Program is to expand the fandom around the world. The Cardinals were named one of the teams that can build in the international market of Canada. To join the Snowbirds, a community created for Cardinals fans in Canada, click here.

The Cardinals also have the rights to hold events in Mexico. During the NFL Draft, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. visited Hermosillo and announced the selection of linebacker Cody Simon. This week, Luis Hernandez and Irving Villanueva of the Spanish broadcast team are in Mexico for an interview with FOX Deportes, capturing content with the Cardinals' International Fan of the Year, and generating excitement ahead of the 2025 season.

Football is growing at a rapidly fast speed, and with NFL players joining their countries for the 2028 Olympics, the trajectory arrow continues to point upwards. More events will take place in both Canada and Mexico in the future.

Last season, Adams started five games at right guard. The University of Illinois product said his experience was "humbling, but at the same time, it kind of motivated me to get bigger, stronger, faster, maybe switch on my approach, and added way more fuel to the fire."

While Adams' sights are set on solidifying his role as a starter, the trip back home was a friendly reminder of his early beginnings.

"It was kind of a nice reset," Adams said. "I've been out here during the summer training, so I didn't get time to go home. To get there and spend time with my family and also see a new part of Canada, it was fun."

Adams joins the campers for a game of Tug of War.
Adams joins the campers for a game of Tug of War.

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