Following in the footsteps of Ty Law and Richard Seymour, another key contributor to the New England Patriots dynasty will receive the highest individual honor in pro football on Saturday.
Adam Vinatieri, the Patriots’ kicker between 1996 and 2005, will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
An undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State, Vinatieri arrived in New England in 1996. He spent the first 10 seasons of his 24-year NFL career with the Patriots, and was a cornerstone of their first three
championship teams. He kicked game-winning field goals in two of those Super Bowl wins, and additionally made arguably the best kick in NFL history when he split the uprights from 45 yards out in a 2001 divisional round win over the Oakland Raiders.
Vinatieri, who finished his legendary career with a 14-year stint in Indianapolis, made 83.8% of his regular season field goals as well as 81.2% in the playoffs. Arguably the most clutch kicker the league has ever seen, he retired as a four-time Super Bowl winner, three-time All-Pro selection, one-time All-Decade selection (2000s) and the owner of multiple NFL records, including points scored in a career (2,673)
The now-53-year-old was later also named to the league’s 100th Anniversary Team. On Saturday, he will earn the famous golden jacket alongside fellow pro football legends Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly.
The ceremony in Canton, OH, will start at 12 p.m. ET.
