All-Time NFL Great, Former Colts and Patriots Kicker, Adam Vinatieri Announces Retirement

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At the crisp age of 48, former Colts and Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri is ready to announce that his 24-year-long career is finally at its end.  

The veteran placekicker went on the Pat McAfee show this morning to drop the announcement, pending his approval for retirement from the team, according to his interview. 

“Do you want it to be live on your show that Vinny’s done,” announced Vinatieri, to the surprise of Pat McAfee who evidently did not see the league’s all-time leading scorer on the cusp of announcing such news.  

The retirement news seals the end to a storied career after knee injuries derailed his final years, with recent reports also suggesting that the kicker was contemplating a return going into the 2021-2022 season, which would have likely been his last. 

Vinatieri’s final action in the league came in 2019 after four regular season games played with the Colts. The kicker’s injuries forced him to go on IR after posting 68% FG accuracy, indicative of a bad left knee that had been ailing him since the start of the season. 

Adam Vinatieri retires as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer (2,673), with a total of 599 field goals scored out of 715 attempted. 

Vinatieri served 14 years as the Indianapolis Colts placekicker and 10 years with the New England Patriots, winning four Super Bowls between both teams. Also named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time team thanks to clutch kicking and durability. 

Current Colts kicker and University of Georgia favorite Rodrigo Blankenship, known for his trademark goggles that help him laser in on the uprights, had a fantastic 2020 season for the Indianapolis Colts posting 86.5% FG accuracy and leading a rookie campaign that was seen as a Pro Bowl snub.  

Vinatieri retires as one of the league’s most highly decorated players, a staple for the NFL’s storied success in the 2000s as a complementary piece to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning’s careers, and finally retiring on a golden boot forever remembered by Colts and Patriots fans.