NFL Player Rae Carruth's Son Survived an Attack Plotted by His Father and Was Raised by His Grandmother – Now He Looks 'Like His Mommy': 5 Photos

Cherica Adams and Rae Carruth's son entered the world under circumstances that permanently changed his life and took his mother's. More than 26 years later, he has reached milestones once difficult to imagine. Five photos of him grown up can be found at the end of the article.

Rae Carruth was a first-round NFL draft pick — selected 27th overall in 1997 — whose professional career with the Carolina Panthers began with considerable promise. Within two years, however, his name would become connected to one of the most notorious crimes in NFL history.

Rae had met Cherica Adams at a Charlotte pool party in 1998, and the two later developed an on-and-off relationship. By April 1999, Cherica was pregnant with his child, something DNA testing would later confirm.

She intended to have the baby and was prepared to raise the child with help from her family if necessary. Rae, however, wanted her to terminate the pregnancy.

According to testimony that later emerged in court, Rae eventually approached Van Brett Watkins, who had been doing odd jobs for him, about hurting a woman badly enough to cause her to lose her baby.

Van Brett testified that he instead told Rae he killed people and named a price of $6,000, with half to be paid upfront. Rae initially gave him $300, and over the months that followed, Van Brett began to watch Cherica.

He learned what her black BMW looked like and discovered where she lived and parked. He also testified that Rae suggested possible opportunities to attack her, including around her Lamaze class and in a restaurant parking lot.

Meanwhile, Michael, Van Brett, and Rae's best friend, Stanley Abraham, left to obtain a gun.

According to Van Brett, Rae sometimes referred to his unborn child as "the dog" while discussing the plan in code. By November 15, 1999, Cherica was 30 weeks pregnant when she arrived at Rae's home before what she believed would be a date.

The two planned to attend a 9:45 p.m. screening of "The Bone Collector." Before Cherica arrived, however, Rae had called an acquaintance, Michael Kennedy, and Van Brett to his house, according to later testimony.

Michael subsequently told investigators that Rae asked him for an inconspicuous vehicle he could use that night. Meanwhile, Cherica had become uneasy before she and Rae even left the house.

Her mother, Saundra Adams, recalled of their final conversation, "She called me on the phone: 'Mom, I don't even know why I'm here. I don't know what this is about. Because he's got all these people in the house and he's been down there secretly on the phone, and I think he's talking to another woman.'"

Saundra ultimately advised her daughter, who had work the next day, not to go to the movie. But Cherica decided to leave with Rae after her mother heard him in the background saying they were about to go.

Meanwhile, Michael, Van Brett, and Rae's best friend, Stanley Abraham, left to obtain a gun. Michael later told police that $100 supplied by Rae was used to purchase a .38 revolver, which Van Brett loaded with five bullets.

After the movie, the wide receiver and Cherica returned to his home before leaving separately for hers. Rae drove ahead in his Ford Expedition, with Cherica following in her BMW. Behind her was the rented Nissan Maxima carrying Michael, Van Brett, and Stanley.

Shortly after midnight on November 16, 1999, the Maxima pulled alongside Cherica's car on Rea Road. Van Brett alleged:

"So I shoot the gun — bam, bam, bam! — and then I listen. Everybody paused. I look at Rae Carruth...I'm listening for her because the window's open. So I could tell she was dying. [...] Rae was looking in the mirror. And he smiles....Rae pulled off once the last shot was done."

The wide receiver's defense later disputed the prosecution's murder-for-hire account and maintained that Rae fled because he feared Van Brett. However, a jury ultimately convicted him of conspiracy to commit murder and the former NFL star spent nearly 19 years in prison before being released on October 22, 2018.

Cherica, meanwhile, survived the initial attack despite her devastating injuries. Using a cell phone Rae had previously given her, she called 911 and remained on the line for about 12 minutes, providing information that helped authorities piece together what had happened.

Her survival long enough to receive emergency treatment also gave her unborn son a chance to live. An emergency medical team then delivered Chancellor Lee Adams by C-section roughly 80 minutes after the shooting.

Born ten weeks premature and weighing just three pounds, 11 ounces, Chancellor had been deprived of critical blood and oxygen before birth. He survived but was left with brain damage and cerebral palsy.

As for Cherica, she never recovered and died from her injuries on December 14, 1999, four weeks after being shot. Saundra subsequently became Chancellor's full-time caregiver and shared during an interview in 2024:

"He's really doing great for the prognosis that he had at the beginning. He's still my miracle."

Chancellor's disabilities mean he requires lifelong assistance, including help with some everyday tasks, and he generally communicates in one- or two-word phrases. Still, as he grew into adulthood, his life came to include horseback riding, board games, puzzles, and milestones his family celebrated with him.

His progress drew reactions from people following his story online, with many focusing on the young man's expression. One person said, "Always has that sweet smile! Just read his story today.. so sad [sic]!" while another shared, "He absolutely has the most beautiful smile!! ❤️"

Others noticed physical traits as he grew older. One commenter typed, "Amazing, the body line of his shoulders are like a football player [sic]."

His high school graduation in 2021 prompted particularly emotional responses centered on Cherica. One person commented, "Awww, he looks like his mommy. Congrats to him! 👏🏽"

Another shared in part, "I know your mom is in heaven smiling down on you and proud of you. You are so handsome and the best part of your mom. I know she loved you so much! Keep doing big things. I pray you live the best life you can. ❤️"

Saundra has similarly spoken about the mother Chancellor knows only through photographs and calls "Mommy Angel." Reflecting on the man her grandson has become, she said:

"I think she's smiling down on us. I think she's very pleased with his progress and the young man that he is becoming."

More than 26 years after Chancellor survived the attack that killed his mother and left him with lifelong disabilities, he continues to live in Charlotte with the grandmother who raised him and enjoys the activities that have become part of his adult life. Five photos showing him grown up can be found below.

Rae Carruth

Cherica Adams

Chancellor Lee Adams