Indianapolis Colts placekicker Adam Vinatieri has joined forces with the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) to become a spokesperson for its Sentry Program. The Sentry Program is a no cost, national effort to unify sportsmen nationwide to combat threats to their outdoor heritage.


Vinatieri is one of the most recognizable placekickers in the National Football League (NFL). He has played in five Super Bowls, winning three with the New England Patriots and one with the Colts. He is also the only player in Super Bowl history to kick two game winning field goals, doing so for the Patriots in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII. By the time he left the Patriots, he was the team's all time leading scorer with 1,158 points. His reputation and record propelled Vinatieri to the starting kicker position on the NFL's ceremonial All-Decade Team for the 2000s.


In addition to his career in the NFL, Vinatieri is an avid sportsman. His passion for the outdoors is what brought him into contact with the USSA.


“Making a game winning field goal compares to the fun and excitement I have being outdoors and experiencing nature,” said Vinatieri. “I am glad to be a 'Sentry' so that I can give back and ensure the same outdoor opportunities that have shaped me are there for the next generation.”


Adam was born and raised in South Dakota, learning to love the outdoors lifestyle in its rugged terrain. As with many South Dakotans, part of that heritage included hunting and fishing. Over the years Vinatieri became a highly accomplished hunter in other states as well as overseas. He has also been featured on several outdoors shows over the years.


The Sentry Program was designed by the USSA to build a grassroots army coast to coast promoting and protecting America's outdoor heritage. Sportsmen nationwide can easily sign up for the electronic based program at no cost. Once they do so, sportsmen will begin receiving news about major pieces of legislation impacting hunting and fishing. They will also receive alerts on key issues that require immediate action by sportsmen to defend their rights.


“It's hard to say how thrilled the USSA is to have someone like Adam Vinatieri agree to be a spokesperson for our cause,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “Just as Adam played a clutch role in several Super Bowl wins; through the Sentry Program, each sportsman can play a similar role in defeating efforts to restrict their rights.”


In addition to Vinatieri, the Sentry Program has numerous other celebrities who have donated their time and notoriety to act as spokespersons. This includes:


Well known comedian and host of the popular game show Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?, Jeff Foxworthy;


Dick and Mary Cabela, cofounders of one of the largest outdoor retailers in the world, Cabela's Inc;


Jim Zumbo, a longtime sportsman personality and star of Jim Zumbo Outdoors on the Outdoor Channel;


General Jerry Humble, retired two-star general in the U.S. Marine Corps;


Laura Francese, an up and coming outdoor personality, bowhunter and Buffalo Bills cheerleader.