Ex-Bears punter Adam Podlesh looks to return to NFL after wife's health scare

During his three seasons with the Bears, Adam Podlesh never missed a game.

After the 2013 season, the Bears parted ways with the reliable punter. Podlesh was picked up by the Steelers but hasn’t played in two seasons because of a family emergency that took him away from football.

Now, the 32-year-old reportedly wants to make a comeback. From Pro Football Talk:

Podlesh’s wife developed a serious complication with a pregnancy that forced an emergency delivery of the couple’s son. Podlesh’s wife had to spend time in intensive care because she was having trouble breathing and the punter opted to walk away from football to focus on the needs at home.

Podlesh knows all about health issues. While playing for the Jaguars in 2010, he overcame a a rare form of cancer in his salivary gland.

Podlesh shows the scar from the malignant tumor he had removed in 2010. | Sun-Times Media

With his wife better, Podlesh is ready to restart his punting career.

He told WTLV in Florida:

“I feel like I’m good enough to do it and it’s a passion of mine. You have to have the spirit and passion to play this game and I still have it.”