New England Patriots former kicker Adam Vinatieri enters record books
Former New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri re-wrote the NFL record book this week.
The New England Patriots have had a luxury many teams are not afforded with their special teams, specifically their kicker.
Stephen Gostkowski has been one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL the past 13 years. Prior to that, the Patriots had arguably the greatest kicker of all-time in Adam Vinatieri.
Vinatieri spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Patriots before moving onto the Indianapolis Colts. He has spent the past 13 years with the Colts. It is with the Colts that Vinatieri has re-written the record books.
In Week 4 against the Houston Texans, Vinatieri became the all-time leader in field goals made, breaking Morten Anderson‘s total. It is a number that Vinatieri continues to add to each and every week. He also became the oldest player to make a 50+ yard field goal attempt.
More from Musket Fire
- What trading Mac Jones during the draft can do for the Patriots
- Best and worst draft picks during the Bill Belichick era
- Early round Patriots draft picks you’ll hate now, love later
- Musket Fire Roundup: Our own final predictions for round 1
- Breaking down the Patriots’ options in the 2023 NFL Draft
In this week’s game against the Oakland Raiders, Vinatieri broke yet another record. This time, Vinatieri became the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, surpassing Anderson once again.
If Vinatieri continues his career, he should overtake even more records. He is moving up not only the kicking record lists but also the games played list as well.
While Vinatieri is breaking all of these records while wearing a Colts jersey, his most memorable memories came in a Patriots uniform.
Vinatieri was an integral part of their success, making 263 out of his 321 field goal attempts and 367 out of 374 extra point attempts. The postseason is where he truly excelled with the Patriots.
In the postseason, Vinatieri made all 39 of his extra point attempts with New England and 26 out of 34 field goal attempts.
He has some of the most memorable playoff kicks in the history of the NFL. His kick against the Oakland Raiders in the snow of the Tuck Rule game sticks in the minds of every Patriots fan’s head.
Vinatieri also won multiple Super Bowls for the Patriots. He made the game-winning field goal at the end of two Super Bowls; the upset over the St. Louis Rams in 2001 and the 2003 Super Bowl against the Carolina Panthers.
Vinatieri was a member of three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, adding another one with the Colts in 2006.
Next. 16 Most Important Patriots During Their Dynasty. dark
There is no doubt that Vinatieri will hear his name called for the Hall of Fame in Canton. When that day will come is anyone’s guess, as Vinatieri is still one of the best in the business and has shown no real signs of slowing down.