Adam Vinatieri is known as the greatest place kicker in the history of the NFL. I mean, really, he is a legend. He is the longest tenured active player in the league, he is the all-time leading scorer and he has won four Super Bowls – three with the New England Patriots and one with the Indianapolis Colts. So, how long did he play in the NFL?
Well, Adam Vinatieri has been kicking since 1996. That’s a whopping 24 years of service in the league – an NFL record! In all that time, he has made 599 career field goals and 714 career extra points – even though those numbers are decreasing year on year. But, it’s not just his on-field performace that has seen him go down in NFL folklore. You see, it was Vinatieri who made the momentous winning field goal for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI which marked the start of the Patriots’ dynsaty.
But, what has allowed him to stay in the NFL for so long? Well, I think a large part of it is down to the way Vinatieri handles himself off the field. He might be 45 years old, but he still has the same work ethic he has had since he entered the league in 1996. He is also an outstanding leader and mentor, always willing to help out younger players and provide guidance.
Vinatieri’s illustrious NFL career hasn’t come without its challenges. In 2017 he underwent surgery on his left groin/hip area, causing him to miss five games, and there were doubts as to whether he would ever fully recover. But, he didn’t let the injury slow him down. He returned to the Colts the following year and put in a stellar performance in the playoffs, making 8 out of 9 field goals and all five of his extra points attempts.
Adam Vinatieri is an incredible soldier of fortune. He has done battle in the trenches for 24 years and his longevity is a testament to his hard-working nature and his leadership abilities. He is an inspiration to other players who want to stick it out in the league and he is likely to still be kicking around in 2020!
Let’s not forget that Adam Vinatieri was already 38 when he played for the Colts, which highlights just how impressive his longevity has been. It’s almost supernatural how he has managed to keep his body in the condition it is in and his passion for the game has certainly not diminished.
Vinatieri’s career accomplishments speak for themselves. To have stayed in the NFL for so long and to come out on top as the all-time highest points scorer says it all really. He has become a role model for others to emulate and he continues to give younger players a path to follow in order to make it in the NFL.
Vinatieri is a living legend in the NFL and he has done more than enough to earn his place in history. He will no doubt go down as one of the all-time greats and his ability to stay in the sport for so long should serve as an inspiration for the next generation of players who hope to achieve success in the league.