Adam Vinatieri

He is the second of four children. Adam attended Rapid City Central High, where he was a letterman in football, track, wrestling, soccer.

Adam’s college years were some of the best days for school and football. He was a four-year letterman at South Dakota State University as a placekicker and punter. He finished up his college years of football as the school's all-time scoring leader with 185 career points scored. (His younger brother beau is a place kicker at Backhill State College.)

Life after college

He spent the fall of 1995 training to compete professionally. He received a tryout for the World League of American Football, now known as NFL Europe, and earned a roster position with the Amsterdam Admirals as a placekicker and punter.

New England Patriots

In 1996 he was drafted for the New England Patriots as a place kicker. He has been with the Patriots for eight years, during that time he has went to three Super Bowls -- out of which they lost one and won two thanks to their quarter back, Tom Brady. Since he has been with the patriots he has been very active in his home town and state which includes helping Christian athletes, D.A.R.E., and the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau, charities that Adam has donated time and resources to over the past couple of years. He also is a spokesperson for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island’s teen anti-smoking contest. Adam’s hobbies include hunting riding motorcycles and golfing and spending time with his wife and kids.

It was the Super Bowl where Vinatieri shone brightest. In Super Bowl XXXVI, he kicked a field goal on the final play to give the New England Patriots a 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams. Two years later, and in an almost identical situation, he kicked a field goal with 4 seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVIII to boost the Patriots to another championship. This time, the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers, 32-29, making Vinatieri the first player ever to be the deciding factor in two Super Bowl games.

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