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Twin brothers Josh and Terrell Adams were born about a minute apart. Since then they have been inseparable – in good and bad times.

They always attended the same schools and played on the same sports teams. Terrell, who noted that the twins shared the same bedroom until they were sophomores in high school, clearly remembers the first time he and Josh were apart for a long time.

Josh qualified for the Alabama track and field championships as a freshman at Ramsey High and Terrell did not. Terrell was stuck in Birmingham and constantly called Josh on the cell phone to see how things were going.

That unbreakable bond followed the Adams twins to the Naval Academy where they became varsity football players. They were there for each other during the darkest time of their lives.

At the end of September last year, Josh and Terrell’s mother, Michelle, died as a result of COVID-19. Navy soccer practice had just ended and they were sitting side by side on a bench outside the locker room when their father, Jerome, called.

“We were removing our tape when our dad called and told us our mom didn’t make it,” Josh said.

Michelle Adams was hospitalized for several weeks after contracting the coronavirus, but the brothers didn’t even tell their best friends on the football team “because we never thought it would come to this,” Josh said.

Josh and Terrell were immediately comforted and comforted by teammates. They believe it was God’s grace that Naval Academy chaplain Holly Short attended training that day and was able to pray with them.

When they traveled back to Birmingham the next day, the Adams twins received a second shock. Their grandmother, Sally Mae Stitt, also died of COVID. The loss of two loved ones in two days was almost too much to bear.

“It really puts a weight on your shoulders that’s hard to bear,” said Josh. “It has taken quite a toll on me. I almost lost it in class.”

“We are a very religious family, so we leaned on God to guide us and help our hearts find peace,” Terrell said.

East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers gets the ball out before Navy’s Terrell Adams can get it during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 in Annapolis, Maryland (Paul W. Gillespie/The Baltimore Sun via AP) (Paul W. Gillespie/AP)

For Jerome Adams Sr., whose world was turned upside down by the death of his wife and mother, the upcoming anniversary of the terrible tragedy will be painful.

“I still can’t believe it happened,” Jerome said. “Life has been so different without my wife. I go home every day and I think she will be there.”

While still going through the grieving process, Jerome immediately became concerned about his twin sons and urged them not to let their sense of loss overwhelm them. He and Michelle dreamed of attending the Naval Academy graduation when Josh and Terrell were commissioned as officers.

“The boys know how much my wife and I wanted that for them. I didn’t want them to give up and stop,” Jerome said. “I told them to be strong, to trust in the Lord, and to keep going. I said: use your mother as motivation.’

[ Navy football goes on the road to East Carolina in search of first win. ]

Growing up, Josh and Terrell were determined to attend college together. At the time, Division III Birmingham Southern was the only other school to recruit both.

Several other schools recruited the brothers separately, but they were delighted when naval assistant Ashley Ingram came up with an offer. Ingram actually called Josh first, a fact he’s kept over Terrell’s head ever since.

“I remember Josh coming and telling me Coach Ingram would call me,” Terrell said. “Josh likes to say he’s better than me because he was offered first.”

Although the twins were initially hesitant due to the mandatory service obligation, their parents encouraged their sons to take up the challenge and not miss a great opportunity.

“We were thrilled that they would receive a good education, guaranteed employment after graduation, and a chance to serve,” said Jerome, noting that Terrell and Josh’s grandfathers both served in the military.

Jerome and Michelle both went to college, but did not graduate and went on to work as truck drivers and pharmacy technicians respectively. Their daughter Amber graduated from Alabama-Birmingham, while Josh and Terrell are two semesters away from earning degrees from one of the most prestigious institutions in the country.

“Both guys have always been very diligent students and I knew they would push each other in that tough academic environment,” Jerome said. “My wife and I came up with a slogan: ‘Be the best.’ We told our kids that didn’t mean we had to compete with everyone. It was about doing everything in their power to achieve everything they could.”

The twins are extremely competitive and often got into fights while growing up. Josh remembers playing board games and accusing Terrell of cheating when he was losing.

“Even now we still have fights when we push and pull; Fortunately, it doesn’t go too far,” said Terrell.

Jerome Adams spent a week in Annapolis while attending the Delaware and Memphis home games. He took the boys to Macy’s to buy some clothes and cologne and saw the same behavior as when the family went to the supermarket in Birmingham.

“One of them hit the other and before you knew it they were wrestling,” he said. “I was like, you’ve all been doing this forever.”

Josh is annoyed when Terrell tries to tell him things he already knows, such as football assignments. Terrell is annoyed that Josh “struggles with technology” and is always asking questions about controlling iPad apps or PS5 features.

East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers gets the ball away before Navy’s Terrell Adams can get it during the second quarter of a game on Nov. 20, 2021 in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/AP)

The Adams twins were recruits straight into the Naval Academy, and they had each other to lean on for support during the ever-tough plebe summer.

“It was a shell shock at the beginning, but we leaned on each other to get through that tough time,” Terrell said. “I remember we couldn’t wait until the sports season when we got to see all our football brothers. That was our escape.”

You’d think the brothers would go their separate ways after settling down at the Naval Academy, but that hasn’t been the case. They both study Mathematics with Economics and have different classes together. Despite living on opposite sides of Bancroft Hall, they meet regularly for meals or to do homework.

They even have the same group of friends, where they usually hang out with fellow soccer players Derek Atwaters, Maasai Maynor and Mark Walker.

“Me and Terrell always get together when we’re having a bad day in class, in the hall, or at the practice,” Josh said. “We can confide in each other and lift each other up. It has been a real blessing to have my twin brother here to help me through this place.”

Despite being fraternal twins, the Adams brothers are remarkably similar. Both stand 6 feet, but Terrell — a 227-pound indoor linebacker — is slightly taller than his 198-pound brother, who is a safety.

“People always confuse us. Mids from Josh’s company will call me by his name. I see people on campus I don’t know who say hello because they think I’m Josh,” Terrell said.

After serving on the scout team and playing as plebes in junior varsity games, the two began climbing the depth map as sophomores. After Josh was given jersey No. 14, Terrell asked to wear No. 41. When asked why, Terrell said he wanted to “be the reverse of my brother.” Their slogan – all for one and one for all – is a play on those inverted numbers.

Terrell Adams played in 10 games with three outside linebacker starts in 2020, but missed most of last season with an injury. He is a member of the kickoff and point cover units this season.

Meanwhile, Josh Adams, who has played in 21 career games, is a member of the point return team. Despite no longer being on the depth chart, the Adams brothers were leaders as seniors.

“Me and Terrell like to be the two guys on the sidelines that get guys excited and bring that energy,” said Josh.

Terrell added: “We try to set an example for our position group by always competing and working hard at all times.”

Coach Ken Niumatalolo described the twins as “model citizens” and appreciates the work ethic they demonstrate on a daily basis, despite not getting the playtime they’d like.

“Josh and Terrell are two of the best young men I’ve ever coached. They come to work every day and lead by example,” Niumatalolo said. “They do everything the right way and have never had any problems. They’re just really good people and great representatives of our program.”

After the death of their mother and grandmother, the healing process for the twins began while they were still in Birmingham for the two funerals. They watched on television as Navy, that season 0-3 started in 2021, defeated Central Florida on October 2 in Annapolis.

Afterwards, Josh and Terrell received a FaceTime call from a group of teammates who told them the victory was dedicated to their mother and grandmother.

“All the boys lifted us up. You find out what the Navy football fraternity is all about when you go through tough times like us,” Terrell said.

Terrell and Josh hope to receive Marine Corps Ground as a service selection. If successful, they would spend six months through elementary school in Quantico, Virginia, before being given orders.

Jerome Adams has no idea how his sons will cope with being separated if they are stationed in different locations. “It’s going to be hard because they’ve never been apart except for a few days,” he said.

At the end of May, they will graduate from the Naval Academy in a ceremony at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium – the venue with so many fond memories of football. They don’t regret attending a service academy together.

“It was an amazing experience and everything we’ve dreamed of – going to school and playing ball together,” Josh said. “We’ve created a second family here and have been able to really grow as men.”

Navy football player Josh Adams (Phil Hoffmann)