Place kicker Adam Vinatieri plays for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. After playing his college football for South Dakota State, he earned himself a roster position with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League of American football and in 2006 was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots.
Vinatieri, who is known for having ice water in his veins, an amazing focus and a fine kicking leg, has been instrumental in winning four Super Bowls. In the first three, he was a member of the New England Patriots.
In Super Bowl XXXVI, he hit a 48-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give New England a 20-17 victory over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, he kicked the winning score, a 41-yard shot, with four seconds left in the game to beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29. In Super Bowl XXXIX, he hit a field goal and three extra points to help the Pats beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21.
| Team |
Indianapolis Colts
|
| Born | 28 Dec 1972 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Nickname | Automatic Adam |
| Team History | |
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
2006 - present |
New England Patriots
|
1996 - 2005 |
Amsterdam Admirals
|
1995 |
After the 2005 season, the Patriots did not resign him. The clutch kicker went to the Indianapolis Colts and in his first season with his new team helped them win Super Bowl XLI by defeating the Chicago Bears 29-17. In that game he kicked two extra points and was three of four on field goals.
Vinatieri, who has been an All-Pro and Pro Bowler twice, has kicked 20 game-winning field goals. His accuracy has earned him the nickname “Automatic Adam.” In 12 seasons, he’s made 311 of 378 field goal attempts for an accuracy rate of 82.3-percent. As a kicker, he’s accumulated a total of 1,387 points. His longest field goal thus far was from 57 yards. In 12 seasons, he only missed three games.
