The Chicago Bears are honoring the late Gaines Adams with a "99" decal on the back of their helmet, Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Adams, who died in his native South Carolina on January 17 after going into cardiac arrest due to enlarged heart, spent part of the 2009 season with the Bears, after beginning his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who selected the former Clemson star with the fourth overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.

"It's an honor to have his number there," Bears safety Danieal Manning said. "I was getting to know Gaines a little bit as a person. He was a nice dude. You hate to see his family go through what they're going through. He will be missed."

McClure adds that defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, who developed a close bond with Adams and was a pallbearer at his funeral, has changed his number from #94 to #99.