Kay Adams emerged as a beloved figure in the football world at NFL Network, and after leaving to host the “Up & Adams Show,” her impact has continued to grow. Few figures in football media boast her skill as an interviewer, getting coaches to open up about their plans and gaining access to a more personal side of buttoned-up athletes.
Now, Adams is stepping into an even bigger spotlight as the host of Netflix’s NFL Christmas coverage. As she prepares for the national stage, here’s a closer look at her life, career, and rise to prominence in football media.
Get To Know Kay Adams in Detail
Very few people get the chance to study and work in the same field they’ve dreamed about since childhood, and Adams is one of them. Born in Chicago on April 6, 1986, she is 39 years old and living out her passion as one of football media’s most recognizable personalities.
She attended the University of Missouri, where she majored in communications. While in college, Adams worked multiple part-time jobs to support herself, including bartending at a sports bar and working as a radio personality on local music and sports stations, which were early experiences that helped shape her broadcasting career.
Before rising to national prominence at NFL Network, Adams held a variety of media roles. She worked as an in-game host for the then–St. Louis Cardinals, appeared on SiriusXM’s Livin’ the Fantasy and SiriusXM Fantasy Drive, and served as a reporter for NBC. Her big break came in 2016, when she joined the NFL Network as a host on Good Morning Football.
During her tenure at NFL Network, Adams became a fan favorite due to her meticulous preparation, credibility, and natural ability to connect with both players and viewers.
In 2022, she chose not to re-sign with the network and instead launched her own show, Up & Adams, airing on FanDuel TV. The program blends football analysis with personality-driven conversations and has quickly become one of the most popular shows in the football media landscape.
Today, Up & Adams boasts more than 500,000 subscribers on YouTube, while Adams’ individual presence continues to grow, with over 720,000 followers on X.
Adams continues to reach new heights in her career, serving as a desk host for Netflix’s NFL Christmas coverage since 2024. After hosting the pregame show for last year’s Chiefs–Steelers Christmas matchup, she is now set to host the Cowboys–Commanders Christmas broadcast.
While the matchup itself may carry little playoff significance with both teams out of contention, Adams called the opportunity “epic” and “special,” sharing that her family in Poland will get to watch her work live, making the moment even more meaningful.
