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Former Vikings GM Has One Big Vikings Reminder

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Kevin O'Connell watches Vikings minicamp practice in Eagan.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches minicamp work from the practice field in Eagan. O’Connell continued overseeing offseason preparation as Minnesota evaluated roster battles, quarterback timing, and early installation before training camp. June 2026. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

As July 4th has passed and the NFL dead period winds down with teams getting closer to training camp reporting day (for the Vikings—July 26 for rookies, July 28 for vets, first padded practice on August 3), I’m feeling more anxious for the return of football and the Vikings.

The Wild and Wolves playoffs caught our attention for a while. The Twins have been mostly back-of-mind since they unloaded their bullpen last year at the trade deadline (although it’s nice to see them close to .500 with Byron Buxton having a great year, but sad to see him on the injured list once again).

Former Vikings GM Reminds Fans Where Minnesota’s Sports Attention Still Goes

As for the World Cup, I played soccer in high school and college, and while I loved playing the sport, I find it rather boring to watch. So I catch a few minutes of World Cup action (bad job against Belgium by Team USA but Messi-wow, what a player for Argentina), but I only watch soccer every four years during the World Cup, and I find FIFA the most ridiculous and corrupt sports organization.

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Like most Minnesota sports fans (along with many in Iowa and the Dakotas and a few western Wisconsinites), I have held the Vikings at the top of my list of teams I’m interested in. That was the case for me long before I went to work for the team in the late-1970s.

Vikings players participate in OTA drills at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan. Minnesota Vikings training camp
Minnesota Vikings players participate in organized team activities at the TCO Performance Center during offseason preparations for the 2026 campaign. On June 4, 2026, in Eagan, Minnesota, coaches and players worked through drills and installation periods as the Vikings continued evaluating the roster and building toward training camp. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

I remember playing football in the front yard with my three brothers. At the same time, we listened to the first-ever Vikings game—the monumental 37-13 upset of the mighty George Halas-coached Chicago Bears at old Met Stadium on September 17, 1961, when rookie QB Fran Tarkenton came off the bench to relieve George Shaw and, scrambling Fran threw four touchdown passes and had a rushing score in the shocking blowout victory.

Our family had Vikings season tickets at the Met, and I often went to home games. As a teenager, I would sleep until noon on Sundays when the Vikings played on the road, but I was glued to the tube as soon as the games kicked off.

Sure, I was a big Twins fan in the 1960s when the team went to the World Series and in their championship years of 1987 and 1991. And we had season tickets to the North Stars before they bolted to Dallas in 1993. I liked going to Gopher basketball games in the Bill Musselman era. And it was a thrill to attend the first-ever Timberwolves game against Michael Jordan and the mighty Bulls in 1989. Today I like to watch the Lynx play their unselfish team basketball at such a high level.

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But the Vikings always have been No. 1 for me and for the vast majority of sports fans in our area. That’s obvious from attendance numbers, basically constant sellouts at Met Stadium, the Metrodome, and now U.S. Bank Stadium, and from consistently robust TV and radio ratings.

With training camp now less than three weeks away, my thoughts drift to position battles, obviously beginning with Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy at quarterback and what kind of production will we see from the 2026 draft class led by the top three picks—DT Caleb Banks (is he healthy?), LB Jake Golday and safety Jakobe Thomas along with some interesting later round picks such as CB Charles Demmings and RB Demond Claiborne. And when will we hear from Harrison Smith on his return or retirement?

In this quieter period, I also think back to my mid-July mindset during my Vikings front office years, when it wasn’t quiet for me as I returned from post-minicamp vacation the week after the 4th of July. Early in my career, I was in charge of training camp in Mankato.

During this time, I would be communicating regularly with the wonderful staff at Mankato State University (before the college was renamed Minnesota State-Mankato). I would be working with them on rooming lists in the Gage Hall dorm, menus for the team’s three meals per day in the dorm cafeteria, meeting room setup for all position groups and for the offense, defense, and entire team, and field prep for the practice fields and Blakeslee Stadium.

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I was also in charge of team travel, and I would finalize all the road trip logistics with Northwest Airlines, hotels along the route, and the team buses and equipment trucks we would need.

a Vikings helmet at training camp
Jul 26, 2013; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings helmet sits in the grass during training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Other than the 90-minute drive from my home to Mankato and sleeping in non-air-conditioned Gage Hall, I mostly enjoyed training camp in Mankato (especially our pickup basketball games in the gym or quick drives to Mankato Country Club for a late round of golf after the long workday concluded with dinner). But I was certainly happy when I joined the Tennessee Titans as team president and learned that our training camp would be held at our Nashville team facility, so I would no longer have long drives to camp.

For players in the old days, training camp was a grind, with two-a-day practices, usually in full pads, in the summer heat. Fortunately for our players when Bud Grant was head coach, we were the last team to open training camp (just 10 days before the first preseason game).

It’s hard to believe there were six preseason games when I started my career and the starters played in every game except the finale. Kevin O’Connell and I were talking at camp last year. We agreed that today’s players have no idea how good they have it with limited padded practices, shorter practices, and only three preseason games compared to the norm in the past. Key starters such as Justin Jefferson usually don’t play at all in preseason games.

Kevin O’Connell watches Vikings OTA practice at TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches OTA practice at TCO Performance Center, with June 1 placing the offseason scene in Eagan, Minnesota, as the team works through highlights from spring drills. O’Connell oversees timing and installation while players move through practice reps during Minnesota’s early summer preparation window under his coaching staff’s direction. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

So in just a few weeks, Vikings fans will be showing up for practices at the Vikings’ Eagan facility. They’ll be reading and viewing daily media reports on the 2026 training camp, with September 13 circled on the calendar as the opening-day border battle/division rivalry/likely Kyler Murray debut in Vikings purple against the Green Bay Packers. Everything else in our sports market will take a back seat as usual.

Next Week: I’ll make my annual pre-training camp game-by-game predictions on the 2026 Vikings season. 

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Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond

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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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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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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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