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PBA: Ginebra’s Grigsby relishes first ‘Manila Clasico’ despite loss

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MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra import Riley Grigsby got his first taste of the “Manila Clasico” rivalry on Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Araneta Coliseum. As expected, Grigsby felt the atmosphere of one of the biggest sports rivalries in the country. “I’ve heard about what this game means to fans. You feel the energy. I

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Ex-Jackson State cornerback Levi Wyatt dead at 23

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Levi Wyatt, a former college football standout who played for the Jackson State Tigers and McNeese State Cowboys, has died. He was 23.

Jackson State mourned the loss of the former cornerback on Saturday. Wyatt was a 2024 Preseason All-Southland Conference Second Team selection before he joined the Tigers. He had 12 tackles and four pass breakups in 2025.

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Levi Wyatt #2 reacts during the 2025 SWAC Championship game between Jackson State and Prairie View A&M.

Levi Wyatt #2 of Jackson State reacts against Prairie View A&M during the 2025 SWAC Championship at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 6, 2025. (Getty Images)

“The bond of this brotherhood does not end when the game clock expires,” Jackson State said in a statement. “Today, we mourn the loss of our brother, Levi Wyatt. His memory will forever live within the halls of Jackson State football and in the hearts of everyone who shared this journey with him.

“We ask the Tiger Nation to join us in lifting his family and loved ones in prayer during this incredibly difficult time. Rest easy, Tiger.”

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Jacob Bostick runs with the ball while defended by Levi Wyatt during a football game.

Jacob Bostick No. 11 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs after a reception while defended by Levi Wyatt No. 2 of the McNeese State Cowboys in the second half at Kyle Field on Sept. 7, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (Getty Images)

Wyatt was killed in a car crash in Mississippi early Saturday, according to state officials.

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The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said officers in Jackson responded to a report of a car crash just after midnight local time, according to WLBT-TV. Responding officers located two vehicles that sustained damage at the scene.

A Chevrolet Camaro reportedly struck a utility pole.

The Hinds County coroner identified Wyatt as one of the victims of the crash, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, WLBT-TV reported.

Levi Wyatt #2 reacts during Jackson State football game against Prairie View A&M.

Levi Wyatt #2 of the Jackson State Tigers reacts against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the 2025 SWAC Championship at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Dec. 6, 2025, in Jackson, Miss. (Getty Images)

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Mississippi Highway Patrol was reportedly investigating the incident.

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Wild-card contenders Diamondbacks, Padres clash in desert

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Jul 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) delivers a pitch agains the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning t at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesJul 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) delivers a pitch agains the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning t at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Arizona Diamondbacks were in danger of falling into a deeper hole when they faced the San Diego Padres before the All-Star break. How things have changed.

After salvaging a split in the finale of a four-game set in San Diego on July 9, the Diamondbacks have the best record in the National League since that date and are tied with Philadelphia for the final two NL wild-card spots as they open a four-game series against the Padres on Monday.

Arizona is 14-6 since July 9 and leads the major leagues with 118 runs.

“It’s my favorite month of baseball,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, whose team completed a 6-4 road trip as the calendar turned to August.

“I think the season starts to take shape. The contenders and pretenders start to separate. So I think the real teams, and the ones that are capable of carrying on for the next two months, start to separate themselves, and it’s the purest form of baseball.”

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The Padres have been nearly as good in that span, going 12-8 with 110 runs, the third-most in the majors. They are one game behind the Diamondbacks and Phillies after a 5-1 homestand.

“How we’re playing right now, I think, is the true identity of this club,” said Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth, whose walk-off single beat the Giants 6-5 on Saturday.

Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.00 ERA) will seek to continue his recent dominance in the opener against fellow right-hander Michael King (6-7, 3.38), who was pushed back from a scheduled Sunday start against San Francisco for this matchup.

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“We’re chasing them,” San Diego manager Craig Stammen said. “He’s our best pitcher. It would be nice to have our best pitcher pitching against them. He would miss them otherwise.”

King is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five career starts against Arizona.

Pfaadt is 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA since his June 30 return from Triple-A Reno, where he was dispatched after early-season ineffectiveness. Injuries to right-handers Ryne Nelson and Michael Soroka provided a rotation opening.

After tweaking his mechanics, Pfaadt has taken advantage. He shortened his windup and moved to the first-base side of the rubber. He had been going back and forth with his starting point.

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“More simple and more consistent,” Pfaadt said. “I think when you move and change so many things over a long period of time, stuff becomes inconsistent. Just making that as consistent as possible.”

Pfaadt threw five scoreless innings in an 8-0 victory over the Padres in his second start back July 6, He gave up six hits in seven scoreless innings in his last appearance, an 8-7 no-decision at Pittsburgh last Tuesday.

“There’s just confidence with everything that he’s doing,” Lovullo said. “His timing’s great. His delivery looks great, and he’s executing.”

Pfaadt is 4-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against San Diego. Cronenworth is 11-for-24 with three RBIs against Pfaadt, Manny Machado is 7-for-21 with a homer and Ty France is 3-for-9 with a homer.

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King was 1-0 with 2.79 ERA in five July starts. He gave up a combined three runs in 12 innings in a win and a no-decision against Arizona this season. Against King, Gabriel Moreno is 4-for-8 and Corbin Carroll is 1-for-9.

–Field Level Media

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Celtic drawn against LASK as other Scottish sides discover opponents

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Celtic have been drawn against Austrian champions LASK in the Champions League play-off round.

Meanwhile, Rangers will face either Northern Irish champions Larne or Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia in the Europa League play-offs should they defeat Jagiellonia Bialystok of Poland.

And Heart of Midlothian, who dropped down to the Europa League after losing to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying, will take on either AGF Aarhus of Denmark or Sabah of Azerbaijan should they defeat Benfica.

Should they lose, the Edinburgh side will face Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia or Rapid Vienna of Austria in the Conference League play-off round.

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If Rangers lose, they will meet Jablonec of Czech Republic or RFS of Latvia.

Motherwell will take on Freiburg of Germany should they defeat Finland’s HJK Helsinki.

Meanwhile, Hibernian will take on IFK Gothenburg of Sweden or Gent of Belgium if they oust Shkendija of Macedonia.

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Russian teen Kristina Liutova wins WTA Memphis title

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Russian 16-year-old Kristina Liutova won the WTA Memphis title on Sunday, beating Darja Vidmanova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 to capture the crown in her first main-draw appearance. Liutova became the youngest player to win a WTA title since 15-year-old Coco Gauff triumphed in Linz in 2019. When she fired a stinging forehand to the corner to

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Infantino’s grip on FIFA weakened following investor plan controversy

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Aye Aye Captain back to winning ways at Rosehill in 2026

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Brown horse and jockey in pink and blue silks leap over a hurdle during a race, on a grassy track

Veteran trainer Les Bridge received a belated birthday gift at Rosehill as Aye Aye Captain returned to her best form. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy confessed he was indebted to the stable for a positive result after a questionable recommendation last start.

Aye Aye Captain had previously failed to impress when the favourite on a heavy surface, a decision McEvoy had urged Bridge to proceed with.

However, on firmer footing in Saturday’s Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1400m), the mare executed perfectly. Aye Aye Captain, sent to post at $3.30, fought tenaciously to win by a neck from Ticklebelly ($5), rewarding the patience of her connections.

McEvoy conceded he had some ground to make up after the mare’s previous outing.

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“I must admit, he wasn’t too happy with me the other day when I convinced him to run on the heavy track,” McEvoy said.

“I could tell when I rang him after the races he was a bit flat on me.

“Anyway, he’s waited for today, freshened her up, and her work during the week was good.

“She settled better for me today, and the better ground suited her.”

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The victory continues the extensive history between McEvoy and Bridge, a partnership stretching back almost a quarter of a century. Their first success together was with Miss Zoe in the 2002 Emancipation Stakes, followed by their career-defining win when Classique Legend captured The Everest in 2020.

“My first winner (for Bridge) was a good mare of his way back in the early 2000s, Miss Zoe. This was when I was just out of my apprenticeship,” McEvoy revealed. “Then when I moved to Sydney, I didn’t ride a lot for Les early on. Carmel (Size) linked me up when she knew she had a smart one in Classique Legend, and I’ve been doing a bit ever since with Les.”

The heavily supported favourite, Enviable ($2.50), performed poorly, fading to last after racing on pace. James McDonald informed stewards the mare travelled well but offered no response when asked for an effort in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination was expected to reveal any underlying issues behind the disappointing performance.

Check out the latest betting markets for the race.

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SummerSlam results: Roman Reigns retains the World Heavyweight Championship

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Hatred. Brotherhood. Envy. Glory.

It’s those words that have described the relationship of Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. The two entered WWE as members of The Shield and came into SummerSlam on Sunday night as enemies. Reigns put the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Rollins for possibly the final time of their careers.

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Roman Reigns celebrates at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Roman Reigns celebrates during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (WWE via Getty Images)

Reigns and Rollins went blow-for-blow to start the match before it turned into an all-out brawl in the stands. Reigns delivered the first major blow to Rollins. He caught Rollins trying to spear him through the barricade and powerbombed him through an announce table.

Rollins struck back quickly and delivered his own powerbomb on Reigns through the other announce table. As the two rushed back into the ring, Rollins hit a pedigree on Reigns and tried to pick up the win there, but Reigns kicked out of the pin.

Rollins went back to the well and avoided a spear to hit a stomp. Still, he could not get the pin on Reigns.

The crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis watched closely as the two mammoth wrestling stars played a chess match to gain the smallest advantage. Rollins hit a superplex but Reigns locked in a Kimura lock. Rollins, losing steam, stood back up and nearly hit a Falcon Arrow. Reigns slipped out and speared Rollins – one, two … so close.

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Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns fist bump during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns fist bump during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 2, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

Reigns resorted to smack talk, reminding Rollins that he’ll always be No. 2 to him. But as Reigns bounced off the ropes, Rollins hit Reigns with a spear. Still, he couldn’t get the win.

In shades of WrestleMania, both men were putting on an instant classic in front of thousands of WWE fans. The two men, who know each other like the back of their hands. Reigns took a page out of Rollins’ playbook, hitting him with a buckle bomb and a stomp. Rollins got his arm up at the last possible second.

As the two went punch-for-punch, the referee went down. Reigns, in a nod to Dean Ambrose (now Jon Moxley), hit a Paradigm Shift. He went to spear Rollins but Rollins pulled the referee in between them. It was anybody’s game now. Rollins looked at the title as he stepped over the carnage strewn across the outside ring area.

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Rollins took a steel chair, which he used to betray Reigns 12 years ago. Reigns hit Rollins with a quick punch before Rollins could use the chair. Reigns looked at the chair. Rollins waited for Reigns to use the chair, but he cast it aside.

In a sign of mutual respect, Reigns demanded the two finish it in the middle of the ring without the weapon.

More stomps and spears from the two men without a referee kept the match going. The two former brothers locked eyes one last time. Reigns then delivered one last spear.

Roman Reigns wrestles Seth Rollins during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Roman Reigns faces Seth Rollins during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 2, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

Reigns pinned Rollins to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.

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For Reigns, it seems like the ghosts of his past have finally been dispelled. The two competitors looked at each other from the corner. Reigns put out his fist in a final Shield callback. Rollins obliged, leaving his Shield mask in the middle of the ring.

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Brie Bella injury update: Sister says she’s ‘in a lot of pain’

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Brie Bella was noticeably grabbing her right shoulder during a six-woman tag team match at WWE SummerSlam on Saturday night as she appeared to suffer an injury.

Bella was seated next to the steel steps when her opponent, Jacy Jayne, hit a running senton on her. At that moment, she began to clutch her shoulder and kept rubbing it during the rest of the match with her sister Nikki Bella and Paige.

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Brie Bella wrestles Fallon Henley during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Brie Bella faces Fallon Henley during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 1, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

Nikki Bella attacked Paige at the end of the match, signaling a villainous turn to their characters. She provided an update on Brie in an interview on Busted Open Radio on Sunday before the second night of the premium live event began.

“She’s doing OK. She is in a lot of pain,” Nikki Bella said of Brie. “They are still determining what’s going on. Brie will share that whenever. … I’ve been told to ‘zip it.’”

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque told reporters after Night 1 that the injury “seems pretty bad.”

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Brie Bella makes her entrance at U.S. Bank Stadium during SummerSlam.

Brie Bella makes her entrance during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 1, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

“Yeah, she’s injured,” he said. “I don’t have an update yet. We’ve taken her. She was here, got some treatment done here, has been taken to the hospital to get some scans done. Don’t have a clean answer on it yet.

“I know she hurt her shoulder. It seems pretty bad, but I don’t have an answer yet. Hopefully we will soon. Hopefully, it won’t be as bad as we thought it was, but that’s the nature of the game.”

The Bellas and Paige teamed up against Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley. Jayne scored the pinfall over Paige to give her team the win.

Brie Bella made her stunning return to WWE at the Royal Rumble in January and then was set to team with her sister at WrestleMania 42 before Nikki Bella suffered her own injury.

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Brie Bella, Paige and Nikki Bella look on during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Brie Bella, Paige and Nikki Bella look on during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 1, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

Instead, she teamed with Paige as they won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.

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Now, it’s unclear when Brie Bella will be able to return to the ring.

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In-Form Tanvi Sharma, Fit-Again Kidambi Srikanth Headline Indian Challenge In Korea

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Newly-crowned Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma and a fit-again Kidambi Srikanth will look to continue India’s impressive run on the international circuit when they spearhead the country’s challenge at the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton tournament, beginning in Asan, Korea on Tuesday. Tanvi, the 17-year-old from Punjab, produced a sensational performance to clinch her maiden BWF World Tour title after defeating Vietnam’s sixth seed Thuy Linh Nguyen in the final of the Taipei Open on Sunday. The historic triumph made her only the second Indian women’s singles player to win the Taipei Open, joining Saina Nehwal (2008).

She also became only the fourth Indian women’s singles shuttler to secure a Super 300 or higher-level title, joining an elite club comprising Saina, PV Sindhu and Devika Sihag.

The feat has put her in the spotlight and expectations will be high from the Indian this week as she opens her campaign against a qualifier.

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India has six players in the men’s singles and 10 in the women’s singles main draws of the USD 250,000 event.

In the men’s singles, third seed Srikanth, a 2021 World Championships silver medallist, looked in good rhythm as he reached the final of the US Open but was forced to withdraw from the Canada Open the following week due to a fitness issue.

Now back to full fitness, the former world No. 1 will begin his campaign against Israel’s Daniil Dubovenko.

Kiran George has drawn a qualifier in the opening round and could face eighth seed Wang Po-Wei of Chinese Taipei in the pre-quarterfinals.

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Saneeth Dayanand faces a daunting opener against top seed Yudai Okimoto of Japan, while Rounak Chouhan takes on fourth seed Jeon Hyeok Jin of South Korea.

Tharun Mannepalli will face South Korea’s Yoo Tae Bin, while Mithun Manjunath meets China’s Zhu Xuan Chen. Should both Indians win their opening matches, Srikanth and Mithun will square off in an all-Indian second-round clash.

In the women’s singles, seventh seed Malvika Bansod also has a favourable start against a qualifier, while Tanya Hemanth has been handed a difficult first-round clash against top seed Hina Akechi of Japan.

Aakarshi Kashyap will face South Korea’s Kim Min Ji, while Shriyanshi Valishetty takes on Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu Po. Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj and Ashmita Chaliha will each open against a qualifier.

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Eighth seed Anmol Kharb opens against Hong Kong’s Lo Sin Yan Happy, Mansi Singh will face South Korea’s Kim Joo Eun, and fifth seed Isharani Baruah takes on South Korea’s Lee So Yul.

Among the other Indians, women’s doubles pair Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker will face a qualifier, while Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will take on the second-seeded Japanese pair of Ririna Hiramoto and Kokona Ishikawa.

In the men’s doubles, Krishna Prasad Garaga and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy will face the fourth-seeded Thai pair of Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga in the opening round.

Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu have been drawn against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai, while Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu and Pochana Arjun Reddy will begin their campaign against the second-seeded pairing of Choi Sol Gyu of South Korea and Goh V Shem of Malaysia.

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In the mixed doubles, sixth seeds Ishaan Bhatnagar and Shruti Mishra will face fellow Indians Sathwik Reddy Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma in an all-Indian opening-round clash, guaranteeing India a place in the second round. Seventh seeds Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K will open their campaign against Malaysia’s Loo Bing Kun and Noraqilah Maisarah.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)


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There was a little bit of Browns legend Lou Groza in Adam Vinatieri

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With room for just four, who would be on the Mount Rushmore of NFL kickers?

A case can be made for Browns legend Lou Groza. He is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 1974, largely as the left tackle in Paul Brown’s Cleveland dynasty years, but also as “The Toe,” a kicker who led the NFL in career scoring when he retired.

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The other three are easy. They are the only NFL kicking specialists elected to the Hall — Jan Stenerud (Class of 1991), Morten Andersen (Class of 2017) and Adam Vinatieri (Class of 2026).

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There’s some Groza grit in Vinatieri, to whom Bill Parcells declared, “You’re a football player, not just a kicker,” after he chased down former Heisman winner Herschel Walker and planted him during a return. The 6-foot, 200-pound Vinatieri was a high school linebacker.

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Adam Vinatieri, Patriots & Colts game-winning kick maker, Hall of Famer

Adam Vinatieri gets in as just the fifth kicker – and arguably the most clutch kicker of all time. In a 24-year career, he became the leading scorer for two franchises, helping the New England Patriots win three Super Bowls before winning another ring with the Indianapolis Colts.

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(JIM HUDELSON, USA TODAY)

The other two on this Rushmore were only ever kickers in all of their football days.

Stenerud played youth soccer in Norway and came to the USA on a skiing scholarship. Andersen grew up in Denmark and was a 17-year-old exchange student when Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis talked him onto the football team.

New England Patriots Adam Vinatieri celebrates winning Super Bowl XXXVI with owner Robert Kraft at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans.. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17.

New England Patriots Adam Vinatieri celebrates winning Super Bowl XXXVI with owner Robert Kraft at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans.. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17.

Vinatieri hails from South Dakota, where his high school in Rapid City was a short drive from the real Mount Rushmore. He was a football quarterback and linebacker in addition to kicking. He wrestled, played basketball and ran track.

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His all-around scholar-athlete résumé earned an appointment to the United State Military Academy. He went to West Point but soon returned home, where for three years he was the punter and placekicker for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

The NFL wasn’t interested in a talented but inconsistent prospect from NCAA Division II. Vinatieri spent 1995 without a team and in heavy training.

He kicked and punted well in NFL Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals in the spring of 1996, earning a tryout with the New England Patriots. Parcells picked him over 39-year-old Matt Bahr, a former Browns kicker.

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Vinatieri was an entrenched Patriot by 1998, when Phil Dawson spent the season on the practice squad, prior to joining the Browns in 1999 and eventually breaking Groza’s Cleveland scoring record.

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The Patriots replaced head coach Pete Carroll with Bill Belichick in 2000.

In the Super Bowl capping Belichick’s 2001 season, Vinatieri broke a 17-17 tie with the Rams with a 48-yard field goal as time expired.

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Adam Vinatieri kicks the game-winning field goal for the New England Patriots against the St. Louis Rams as time expires in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The Patriots won 20-17.

Adam Vinatieri kicks the game-winning field goal for the New England Patriots against the St. Louis Rams as time expires in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The Patriots won 20-17.

In a Super Bowl against Carolina two years later, he connected from 41 yards with four seconds left to break a 29-all tie.

After he helped beat the Eagles in a third Super Bowl the next year, the Patriots made him their franchise player for 2005, costing them $2.5 million.

Adam Vinatieri, K - 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 - 2025-26 )

Adam Vinatieri, K – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2025-26 )

In 2006, Belichick deemed the new franchise-tag price, $3 million, too high for a kicker and let Vinatieri walk after 10 seasons, at age 33.

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He went to the Colts as a free agent and instantly popped up in another Super Bowl, making three field goals in a 29-17 win over the Bears.

Adam Vinatieri kicks a field goal for the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLI, Feb. 4, 2007, in Miami.

Adam Vinatieri kicks a field goal for the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLI, Feb. 4, 2007, in Miami.

Letting Vinatieri go worked out for Belichick as a business decision.

Rookie fourth-round draft pick Stephen Gostkowski replaced Vinatieri in 2006 and spent 14 seasons with the team, kicking in three Super Bowl wins.

Vinatieri stabilized the Colts placekicking position for a long, long time. At one point, he made an NFL-record 44 field goals in a row.

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Vinatieri announced his retirement on the Pat McAfee Show on May 26, 2021.

“It all started on a snowy day in Foxborough,” Vinatieri says now, as if he has told his story before.

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A blizzard blew through the hills south of Boston on Jan. 19, 2002.

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“I’m sure it looked pretty,” Vinatieri says. “It was pretty hard to play in.”

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Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints record-setting quarterback, Hall of Famer

Four of the five newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (from left) Luke Kuechly, Drew Brees, Roger Craig and Larry Fitzgerald pose for a photo after unveiling their personal items for display at the Hall of Fame, Friday, April 17, 2026.

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(Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent)

Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter against the Raiders in an AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium, Jan. 19, 2002. Vinatieri later kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime of a 16-13 win.

Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter against the Raiders in an AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium, Jan. 19, 2002. Vinatieri later kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime of a 16-13 win.

Jon Gruden’s Raiders seemed to clinch a 13-10 playoff win when Tom Brady fumbled with 1:47 left. The call was overturned amid loud protests that led to “the tuck rule.” Still, Vinatieri had to make a 45-yard field goal in impossible conditions.

“We could barely run, let alone kick a field goal of that length,” Vinatieri’s Patriots teammate Mike Vrabel said.

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“When you watch it now, it’s amazing that he made it,” said Dawson.

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The amazing make sent the game to overtime, when Vinatieri put through a shorter one for the win.

New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates atop his teammates shoulders after his game-winning field goal in overtime defeated the Oakland Raiders in their AFC divisional playoff game, Jan. 19, 2002, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates atop his teammates shoulders after his game-winning field goal in overtime defeated the Oakland Raiders in their AFC divisional playoff game, Jan. 19, 2002, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

His Super Bowls were indoors or in warm weather, in New Orleans, Houston, Jacksonville and Miami. He missed the Colts’ loss to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV because of injury, replaced by Matt Stover. It was the last career game for Stover, then 42.

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Stover’s story is similar to Vinatieri’s. He was a high school receiver who kicked for the Browns for five years and then for the Ravens for 13 years after the move to Baltimore.

The current top 10 in NFL career scoring is:

1, Vinatieri, 2,673 points; 2, Morten Andersen, 2,544; 3, Gary Anderson, 2,434; 4, Jason Hanson, 2,150; 5, John Carney, 2,062; 6, Stover, 2,004; 7, George Blanda, 2,002; 8, Jason Elam, 1,983; 9, John Kasay, 1,970; 10, Robbie Gould, 1,961

ORG XMIT: 01/10/04 -- AFC PLAYOFFS -- New England Patriots host the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium --Patriot's kicker, Adam Vinatieri kicks the game winning field goal in the final minutes of the Titans Patriot playoff game.   Photo by Glenn Osmundson

ORG XMIT: 01/10/04 — AFC PLAYOFFS — New England Patriots host the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium –Patriot’s kicker, Adam Vinatieri kicks the game winning field goal in the final minutes of the Titans Patriot playoff game. Photo by Glenn Osmundson

Blanda was a quarterback and kicker. The others were kickers exclusively.

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Browns fans saw Vinatieri kick against Cleveland 10 times.

One was in Belichick’s memorable return to Cleveland, before anyone suspected he would build a Patriots dynasty. Dawson kicked four field goals to Vinatieri’s one in a 19-11 Browns win. Vinatieri wound up 8-2 against the Browns.

He didn’t take himself too seriously, as reflected by one of his pet sayings: “I never get to bake the cake. I get to put the icing on once in a while.”

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Vinatieri, 53, treasures his time in New England and is still a Patriots fan, in addition to holding allegiance to the team that kept him longer, the Colts.

Adam Vinatieri Kicker

Adam Vinatieri Kicker

He and his wife, Valerie, have three children. The oldest, A.J., is entering his senior year as a punter at Lindenwood University in Missouri. The family lives in Zionsville, Indiana, about 15 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.

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The three oldest players in NFL history were Blanda, 48; Morten Anderson, 47; and Vinatieri, 47.

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“As I aged, I went from being the rookie to the vet, then the big brother, then the dad, and by the end probably the grandpa in the locker room,” Vinatieri said.

He was taken quite seriously by his peers, who entrusted him to a prominent role in the NFL Players Association.   

One of the most respected members of the expansion-era Browns was Dawson, who spent 14 seasons in Cleveland before kicking elsewhere. He was 44 when he ceremonially “retired as a Brown” in 2019.

Dawson’s role model was Adam Vinatieri.

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Reach Steve at steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: There was a little bit of Browns legend Lou Groza in Adam Vinatieri

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