For Cornell’s opposing placekickers, there is no such thing as a chip-shot field goal. Not even extra-point attempts are gimmes. 

No matter the distance, nothing has been automatic against Big Red over the last two seasons. Kickers have had to find ways to lift their attempts over the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Manny Adebi, a lengthy special teams ace with spectacular vertical jumping ability. 

Adebi, a senior tight end who began his collegiate career as a defensive lineman, recently set the Cornell record for blocked extra points (7) and did so in just 10 games. Remarkably, though, how quickly it took him to stamp his name in the record book is far from the most unique part of his ability to block kicks. Born without full mobility in his right arm, Adebi has made a name for himself as a block artist while relying on his left.

“When I was born, I was a huge baby,” Adebi said. “I got stuck in my mom’s womb, and they (doctors) wanted to make a C-section to get me out. In the process, they cut my shoulder several times. I was not supposed to be able to do anything with my right arm. It would just be there, dangling.”

Adebi gained some mobility in his right arm through a natural healing process and arduous physical therapy, but nothing could eliminate the challenging physical limitations. He can’t raise his arm above his head or extend it all the way out in front of him. 

“As you can see, playing defensive line would be pretty hard, just not being able to extend all the way out,” Adebi said. “...But I’ve always had this, so I don’t notice any of the limitations as much. It doesnt affect me much in my daily life.” 

Adebi has continued to turn what could’ve been an extreme obstacle into a strength and something opposing kickers and special teams units must worry about. Even if he doesn’t block a kick, his presence alone can cause enough disruption. This season, opposing kickers have tried just four field goals against Cornell. They’ve missed each of them.

Extra points, usually seamless, have become stressful for teams against Cornell. Adebi blocked two attempts against Harvard two weeks ago — he set the program record that night — and one against Lehigh in a Week 1 victory. He finished first in the Ivy League, tied for first in the FCS and fourth among all collegiate players last season with four blocks in six games. 

“It’s always exciting,” Adebi said. “For extra points, at least, the other team has just scored, so everyone’s morale is down. Blocking a kick helps get the morale back up. Seven blocks in 10 games is kind of funny.”

Can Adebi tell if opposing kickers have him in mind when they prepare to strike the ball? 

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “Especially after the first block. When I blocked two kicks at Harvard, someone told me that their holder and kicker were looking at each other like, ‘How does he get there?’” 

Adebi credits junior defensive lineman Max Van Fleet with assists on all of his blocks but added that there isn’t much to his record-setting process. He lines up near the middle of the formation, tries to get a good push on the snap, leaps and extends his left arm. Usually, he said, his hand is right where it needs to be.

“Max Van Fleet and I attack one man and penetrate the gap,” Adebi said. “We lift up our outside hands — that’s my left — and usually I can see the kick off the foot. 

"I really don’t know what to say. It’s been a really routine thing for me. My coaches gave me the tools. I follow the technique, and I am able to produce results. There isn’t much else to it. If you watch the film, it’s really simple.” 

Adebi has five more games to add to a feat that is impressive for reasons beyond numbers.

“Right now, it doesn’t mean much because I just want to win games,” Adebi said. “But at the end of the season, I’ll reflect on it. And that’s the beauty of records. You can always build on it. It’s not set and stone.” 

Manny Adebi has turned what could’ve been an extreme obstacle into a strength and something opposing kickers and special teams units must worry about.