After a 24-year career in the National Football League, Adam Vinatieri has announced that he is retiring. Not only is Vinatieri considered by many to be the greatest kicker in NFL history, but he also walks away as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points. On Wednesday, he announced his retirement on The Pat McAfee Show.
Vinatieri was born in Yankton, South Dakota, but his family moved to Rapid City when he was young. He attended Rapid City Central high school and competed in numerous sports throughout his time there – including soccer, basketball, and football.
After graduating as a Cobbler in 1991, Vinatieri went on to have a decorated college football career in Brookings as a punter and placekicker for South Dakota State University.
He spent one-year playing professional football in Amsterdam before getting signed by the New England Patriots in 1996. From there, he put up the most decorated career of any kicker in NFL history. Vinatieri had 29 game-winning field goals in his career, which includes game-winning kicks in two Super Bowls (36 and 38).
Vinatieri spent ten seasons with the New England Patriots before going to Indianapolis where he spent fourteen years. He’s the only player in NFL history to score over 1,000 points with two separate teams.
His career resume, besides being the league’s all-time leading scorer, includes four Super Bowl titles, a three-time selection to the Pro Bowl, a three-time first team all-pro selection, and a member of the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team. Vinatieri’s career field goal percentage was 83.8%.
