“I thought it’d be a good idea to make a donation to (the stadium project) so it can move forward with the program and right now is as good of time as any to do that,” Adams said. “... Everything being done right now with the locker rooms, the stadium and the program is a big step forward.”

The donation from Adams is one of the largest MSU has received from a former student-athlete and will go directly toward the improvement of the home locker rooms.

With approval pending from the MSU Board of Trustees, the home locker room will be named in honor of Adam’s late mother, Rachel Adams. Adams said he always looked forward to seeing his mom and receiving a hug after every home game before she passed away in 1996.

The $24 million renovation project is set to be completed before the start of next season and will include new locker rooms, a training room, media center and recruiting lounge. The addition will consist of two levels and is 50,000 square feet.

Dantonio said the generous donation is helping the program take another step forward in becoming an elite household name.

“It’ll make a huge difference, not just to our current players but to our players who are coming in the future as well,” Dantonio said. “It puts us on par probably with one of the best facilities in the country and in this area.”

Adams played for MSU in the late 90’s and was a three-year starter at MSU. He was awarded the Walter Camp First-Team All-America and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1997. Adams would go on to play 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 with the Dallas Cowboys and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers.