Adam Vinatieri

Vinatieri in 2007, U.S. Air Force photo/Sgt. Brian Ferguson

Birth Name: Adam Matthew Vinatieri

Place of Birth: Yankton, South Dakota, U.S.

Date of Birth: December 28, 1972

Ethnicity: German, English, 1/16th Italian, 1/16th Bohemian Czech

Adam Vinatieri is an American professional football player. He played as a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 24 seasons, with the Amsterdam Admirals, New England Patriots, and Indianapolis Colts. He won Super Bowls in 2001, 2003, and 2004 with the Patriots, as well as 2006 with the Colts. He co-owns Miller Vinatieri Motorsports.

Adam is the son of Judy and Paul Vinatieri. His brother, Beau, was a college kicker. His sister, Christine Erickson, is a politician. He was raised in Rapid Hills, on the Black Hills of South Dakota. His nephew, Chase Vinatieri, has played as a kicker for South Dakota State. Adam is married to Valeri, with whom he has two children.

Adam is said to be a third cousin of daredevil Evel Knievel, and a maternal second cousin of scientist and author Tim Foecke.

Adam’s paternal grandfather was Albert V. Vinatieri (the son of Ehrum Frederick Vinatieri and Katherine Irene Roberts). Albert was born in South Dakota. Ehrum’s father was Felix Villiet Vinatieri, born Felice Villiet, an Italian emigrant, from Turin, Piedmont, who was said to have been a bandmaster for Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer. Ehrum’s mother, Anna Frances Fejfar, was of Bohemian/Czech descent.

Adam’s paternal grandmother was Rose Gile (the daughter of Hiram Columbus Gile and Christina Shark). Rose was born in Madison, Lake Co., South Dakota.

Adam’s maternal grandfather was John A. Goeken (the son of William Henry Goeken and Justina Striuf). John was born in Raeville, Nebraska.

Adam’s maternal grandmother was Stella T. Uhing (the daughter of William Uhing and Bernardine Frigge). Stella was born in Hartington, Nebraska.

Sources: Genealogies of Adam Vinatieri – http://genealogy.about.com

Biographies of Adam’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Felix Villiet Vinatieri – http://www.mandanhistory.org
https://www.findagrave.com

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