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First two kickoff under NFL's new rules are both returned to the 26

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First two kickoff under NFL's new rules are both returned to the 26
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First two kickoff under NFL's new rules are both returned to the 26

2024-08-02 09:45 Last Updated At:09:50

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The first two kickoffs under the NFL’s radical new rule were both returned a yard farther than the old touchback.

Houston's Steven Sims fielded Cairo Santos' kickoff at the 5 and ran 21 yards before he was tackled at the 26 to open Thursday night's preseason game between the Texans and Chicago Bears. Touchbacks used to result in the offense starting at the 25.

After the Texans scored on the opening drive, Chicago's Tyler Scott caught Ka’imi Fairbairn's kickoff at the 7 and returned it 19 yards to the 26.

With both teams sitting starters, all eyes were on the overhauled kickoffs during the annual Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium.

NFL owners approved a dramatic change for kickoffs in order to revive a “dead play” that saw a record-low returns last season.

For a standard kickoff, the ball is kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, five on each side of the field.

The return team will have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There will be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.

The Texans had two returners at the 1, seven players on the 35 and two on the 34.

Only the kicker and two returners are allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also will result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback will be at the 20 or the ball could be returned.

If a kick goes out of bounds before the end zone, or hits the ground or is touched by the receiving team before reaching the landing zone, the return team gets the ball at the 40.

Owners agreed to a one-year trial of the new system that was heavily influenced by the kickoffs used in the XFL spring league.

Only 21.8% of all kickoffs were returned last season as both kicking and receiving teams too often chose to avoid the risk of a possible return.

The NFL estimates that more than half of all kickoffs will be returned this season. The goal is to increase the number of returns without making it more dangerous.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos prepares to kick off during the beginning of the NFL exhibition Hall of Fame football game against the Houston Texans, in Canton, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos prepares to kick off during the beginning of the NFL exhibition Hall of Fame football game against the Houston Texans, in Canton, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A fan waits with a helmet he hopes to get autographed after Chicago Bears NFL football training camp practice in Lake Forest, Ill., Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A fan waits with a helmet he hopes to get autographed after Chicago Bears NFL football training camp practice in Lake Forest, Ill., Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Partners Capital Announces the Promotion of Two Partners and Five Managing Directors

2025-01-08 16:02 Last Updated At:16:11

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 8, 2025--

Partners Capital, a leading global investment firm with over $60B of assets under management on behalf of endowments, foundations, family offices and high net worth individuals, is delighted to announce seven promotions into its senior leadership team including two Partners and five Managing Directors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108916808/en/

New Partners

Lenia Ascenso and Leslie Fitzgerald have been promoted to Partner.

Lenia joined Partners Capital in 2021 to establish and lead the Investment Operations function. With 25 years of senior investment operations experience at firms such as NEPC, JP Morgan, and Wellington, she brought invaluable expertise to the team. She is based in our Boston office.

Leslie joined the firm in 2017 from Cambridge Associates and has been an integral part of our Client CIO team overseeing several of our private and institutional clients in North America. She is based in our Boston office.

New Managing Directors

Our five newly appointed Managing Directors represent a wealth of talent from our UK and US teams:

“We are delighted to announce these seven promotions to our global leadership team. Each of these individuals have made significant contributions to our firm in each of their fields alongside being great role models who have helped nurture our people and culture. I look forward to seeing their continued impact as they play a pivotal role in driving our success in the coming years,” said Arjun Raghavan, CEO of Partners Capital.

About Partners Capital

Founded in 2001, Partners Capital is a leading global investment firm acting for distinguished endowments and foundations, senior investment professionals and prominent families across the globe. With $60B+ in assets under management, the firm acts as an investment partner to its clients by constructing and managing customised investment portfolios that tap into its deep network of manager relationships across all major asset classes. The firm employs more than 370 people across its seven offices located in Boston, New York, London, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Partners Capital Announces the Promotion of Two Partners and Five Managing Directors. (Photo: Business Wire)

Partners Capital Announces the Promotion of Two Partners and Five Managing Directors. (Photo: Business Wire)

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