Vinatieri Following In Family Footsteps

There are few roles in sports that experience as many highs and lows throughout a season like a kicker.
For Roosevelt Sophomore Chase Vinatieri the decision to give it a shot was easy. Afterall, it's in his blood.

"I just think it's fun and that's what I love to do. I didn't really have any pressure to be the kicker. I just decided to be the kicker," Roosevelt Sophomore Chase Vinatieri said.

Chase is the nephew of Indianapolis Colts place kicker and Rapid City native Adam Vinateiri.

The Colts kicker broke Vikings fans hearts with yet another game winning field goal in a 23-20 win Sunday, a scene Chase has gotten used to.

"It's happened so many times that I love to see him do it," Chase said.

Adam isn't the only kicker in the family. Chase's dad Chad also teed it up for Rapid City Central.
One thing the three of them have in common, other than a last name, is their coach, Kim Nelson.

"We actually only tried six field goals when Adam was a senior, because he was playing quarterback and trying to get first downs and touchdowns instead," Nelson said.

Like his dad and uncle before him, Chase does more than just kick. The sophomore has already seen some varsity time at slot receiver and is the quarterback of the junior varsity squad.

"I don't think Chase is going to have many regrets when he's done playing because he didn't miss too many days in the weight room. He came to all of our camps and went to a couple kicking camps and got some instruction there too," Nelson said.

So far Chase has shown the ability to excel in the part you can't teach; Mental Toughness.
But when you've seen both success and failure on the big stage it's easy to realize nobody's perfect.

"You can't make them all. You're going to hit the next one and that's the mindset you have to go with because you're not going to make every one," Chase said.

And that's music to the ears of the Riders Head Coach, who is happy to see the family legacy continuing to grow.

"I feel pretty good about our kicking position for the next couple years," Nelson said.