After 24 seasons in the NFL, including his first 10 with the Patriots, Adam Vinatieri announced his retirement on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday. Vinatieri spent 14 seasons with the Colts where he added a fourth Super Bowl to the three he won with the Patriots. He wraps up his career as the NFL's all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points, three All-Pro honors and three Pro Bowls to go with his four rings.
The kicker broke in with the Patriots in 1996 after spending a season with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League of American Football and would give the team a decade-worth of clutch kicks, including game-winners in Super Bowls 36 and 38, and arguably the greatest kick of all-time coming against the Raiders in the 2001 Divisional Round, as Vinatieri hit a 45-yarder through a blizzard to send the game to overtime where he'd kick the winner as well.
New England was lucky to replace Vinatieri with Stephen Gostkowksi in the 2006 season, who would go on to have a productive career with the Patriots as well, but rarely was Gostkowski ever called upon to make the kind of pressure kicks that made Vinatieri a household name.
Easily in the conversation for best kicker of all-time, the clock can now begin on Vinatieri's wait for candidacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A red jacket at the Patriots' Hall of Fame won't be too far behind as Pats fans can now re-embrace a legend who was a key part of the first three Super Bowls.
Presenting our favorite photos of Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri following his announcement he's retiring from pro football.
Adam Vinatieri kick the game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired to give New England a 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams for the franchise's first Super Bowl title.
Adam Vinatieri kicks a 23-yard field goal in overtime to give the Patriots a 16-13 victory over the Oakland Raiders. The play was the final one ever at Foxboro Stadium.
New England Patriots vs Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Photo By: Keith Nordstrom
Adam Vinatieri kicks a game-winning 35-yard field goal at the 13:01 mark in overtime to give the Patriots a 27-24 win over the Dolphins.
This preseason game between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles on August 17, 2002 was the first preseason game at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots Super Bowl parade in Boston on Tuesday, February 5, 2002
Adam Vinatieri kicks and reacts to making a 46-yard field goal that snapped a 14-all tie and gave the Patriots a 17-14 lead with 4:06 left in the fourth quarter.
This divisional round playoff game between the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans on January 10, 2004 in Foxboro is the coldest playoff game in Patriots history. The temperate was four 4 degrees and minus -10 windchill when it began. The Patriots won 17-14.
Adam Vinatieri hits a 44-yard game-winning field goal in overtime to give the Patriots a 29-26 win over the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots overcome a 26-16 deficit with 8:48 to go in the fourth quarter.
New England Patriots Super Bowl parade in Boston on Tuesday, February 5, 2002
Adam Vinatieri reacts and celebrates after kicking a 35-yard game-winning field goal in overtime to give the Patriots a 41-38 win over the Chiefs.
Adam Vinatieri reacts and celebrates after kicking a 35-yard game-winning field goal in overtime to give the Patriots a 41-38 win over the Chiefs.
Adam Vinatieri kicks a game-winning 35-yard field goal at the 13:01 mark in overtime to give the Patriots a 27-24 win over the Dolphins.
