Legend Adam Vinatieri
NFL Legendary Kicker | 2023 INDUCTEE
Adam Vinatieri was born in Yankton, South Dakota in 1972 and moved to Rapid City, SD when he started elementary school. He grew up loving sports! Adam played football, basketball, wrestling, and more at Rapid City’s Central High School and was a star! Next, he went to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, and at that time was the top scorer in the school's football history.
Adam entered the NFL Draft in 1996, but even though he was an outstanding kicker in college, a team did not select him during the draft. Adam did not give up; he decided to play for the NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals for the summer. At the beginning of the 1996 NFL season, the New England Patriots signed Adam as a kicker.
Adam went on to become one of the best football kickers of all time, playing in the NFL for 24 seasons. He helped his teams win four Super Bowls, three with the New England Patriots and one with the Indianapolis Colts! Over his career, Adam scored 2,673 points which is the record for the most points scored by one player in NFL history! He also holds the record for the most field goals made at 599! Adam is the second leading kicker of extra points with 874.
Adam is known for staying calm under pressure and kicking game-winning field goals in big moments. For example, while playing for the New England Patriots, Adams kicked a 45-yard field goal during the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game in the blinding snow against the Oakland Raiders to win the game and get into Super Bowl XXXVI! Then, during the Super Bowl, Adam kicked a 48-yard game-winning field goal as the clock ran out!
Even after retiring in 2021, Adam continues to inspire young athletes and give back to his community through events that raise money for charity. He wants kids to know they can achieve big dreams if they work hard!
Football Terms
Extra Point: An extra point in football is a way for a team to score 1 more point right after they score a touchdown. Here's how it works:
After the touchdown, the team gets a chance to kick the ball through the two tall posts (the goal posts) at the end of the field. If the ball goes through, they get an extra point.
It’s like a bonus point for scoring a touchdown! Adam scored 874 extra points!
Field Goal: A field goal is when the team kicks the ball through the goal posts the end of the field. This scores 3 points and usually happens when the team is close but doesn’t think they can score a touchdown. Adam made 599 field goals!
Adam kicking the 45-yard winning field goal during the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game – Patriots vs Raiders. This is known as the greatest field goal of all time!
Bill Belichick Fondly Recalls Adam Vinatieri’s Snow Kick
"I would say it was by far the greatest kick I have ever seen," "The conditions were very difficult. There were probably three to four inches of snow on the ground. It was a soft snow that kind of didn't go away. I mean, there was no way to get around it. The magnitude of the kick was significant. It's got to be the greatest kick of all time." — Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, October 2018.
FOXBORO, UNITED STATES: Ken Walter holds as field kicker Adam Vinatieri of the New England Patriots makes the game-winning 16-13 field goal in overtime against the Oakland Raiders in the playoff game 19 January 2002 at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts (Photo provided by Adam Vinatieri)
SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES
Adam played in three winning Super Bowl games with the New England Patriots and one with the Indianapolis Colts! He also kicked the game-winning field goal in two of the New England Patriot Super Bowl victories!
Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XLI
WORKING WITH LEGENDS
Adam was teammates with two of the best quarterback to ever play in the NFL: Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Payton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts.
Payton Manning
Tom Brady
Watch 2023 Inductee Adam Vinatieri Acceptance Speech!
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Watch 2023 Inductee Adam Vinatieri Acceptance Speech! –
Watch this video to see Adam’s steps when kicking
Adam Vinatieri's Top 10 Kicks!
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The kicker stands a few steps back and to the side of where the ball will be held. This gives you space to run up and kick.
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A teammate called the snapper passes (or “snaps”) the ball to another teammate called the holder.
The holder catches the ball and places it on the ground with the pointy end down and the laces facing away from you.
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Once the ball is snapped, the kicker takes a few quick steps forward, staying focused on the ball.
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Place your non-kicking foot next to the ball on the ground. This gives you balance and helps you aim.
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Swing your kicking foot back, then forward, and hit the ball with the top of your foot (the part where your shoelaces are).
Aim to kick the lower part of the ball to make it go up and through the tall posts.
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After kicking, let your foot keep moving in the direction you want the ball to go. This helps with power and accuracy.
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If the ball goes between the two tall posts and over the crossbar, you’ve scored a field goal!
It takes practice, but with focus and teamwork, you’ll get better every time!
A Tribute to Adam Vinatieri's Career (New England Patriots)
Adam Vinatieri & Barclaycard Kick Donation Funds to Brees Dream Foundation
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 31: Seen here signing autographs for his fans, Colts placekicker Adam Vinatieri, a 4-time Super Bowl champion, kicks for a good cause as he teams up with Barclaycard US and the NFL Extra Points Credit Card to donate $10,000 for the Brees Dream Foundation on January 31, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Barclay's)
Reflection:
Adam stated: I think the most important asset to kicking is being mentally headstrong. What do you think it means to be ‘mentally headstrong’?
Adam said he likes to make practice more difficult than the game. How do you think this helped Adam when he was kicking during a game?
In his 2023 South Dakota Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Adam explained when he was nine years old, he had difficulty reading. However, he had a teacher who encouraged him to never give up even though things might be more difficult for him than for others and it might take him longer to get better at things he wanted to do. She helped him understand he could achieve anything in life and become anything he wanted to be. What have you heard your teachers say to you that help you know you can overcome any obstacles?
Adam also talked about that during his career, he was surrounded by great coaches and teammates who taught him how to focus. He said his teammates had amazing work ethics and worked hard every day and this made him want to work hard and do the right thing. When you choose your friends, do you pay attention to how they approach their schoolwork? Do you think about if your friends try to do the right thing all of the time? How do the friends you have make you a better person and student?
What leadership characteristics do you think Adam Vinatieri possesses?
What question about leadership would you ask Adam if you met him?