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New England Patriots: Ex-Kicker Adam Vinatieri has no plans to retire

By Nick Ziegler

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a field goal against the Houston Texans during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a field goal against the Houston Texans during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Former New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri is still going strong and he recently talked about when he thinks he will be calling it quits.

While there has been a lot of talk when Tom Brady of the New England Patriots will be calling it quits, his former teammate Adam Vinatieri is still playing at a high level. While Brady has hinted about playing until he is 45-years-old, Vinatieri just wrapped up his 23rd season in the NFL at the age of 45-years-old.

Even though there is a huge difference between playing quarterback and kicker in the NFL at 45-years-old, it is remarkable how good Vinatieri still is. With the Patriots, Vinatieri earned the reputation of being one of the best clutch kickers in NFL history.

While he hasn’t had too many clutch kicks for the Indianapolis Colts due to their struggles recently, Vinatieri is still laying at a very high level. Recently, Vinatieri was asked about when he might be considering retiring. Here’s what he said via Colts.com

"“I love it as much today as I had when I started 23 years ago,” Vinatieri recently said, according to Colts.com. “I’m not looking to hang them up anytime soon, unless something happens that needs to be that way.”"

At 45-years-old, Vinatieri was still very good for the Colts last season. He was able to have an impressive 85.3 percentage on field goals, as he went 29-for-34 on the season. While some would think that he is losing some strength in his leg, he was able to hit five field goals from 50+ yards. If not for some awful weather in a game against the Buffalo Bills, Vinatieri would likely have two fewer misses on his stat sheet.

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Vinatieri will be breaking Morten Andersen’s all-time field goals made record this season at some point, as he is just six field goals behind him. Even though he is already considered by most to be the best kicker of all-time, adding that record will only cement his legacy. With Vinatieri still playing at a high level, it will be interesting to see how long he can go for.

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