With the NFL’s regular season rapidly approaching, it’s as good of a time as any to look at some potential Indianapolis Colts milestones to look forward to for next year. Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is unquestionably one of the best kickers in NFL history and is poised to move up among the league’s all-time scoring leaders.
At 42 years old, Vinatieri is coming off arguably his best season in the NFL, in which he hit 30 of 31 field goals (96.8%) including 3 for 3 from 50+ yards to go along with his 50 perfectly attempted and made extra points. The seemingly ageless wonder is set to enter his 20th season in the NFL, fresh off yet another Pro Bowl season.
Currently, Vinatieri is just a field goal and an extra point short, or rather 4 points away of longtime former Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson for 3rd among the NFL’s All-Time scoring leaders. Vinatieri at 2,146 career points is readily breathing down the neck of Hanson’s 2,150 career points:
It’s a highly impressive feat to say the least. Although Vinatieri is mostly known for the multiple Super Bowl Championships and game-winning kicks, it’s easy forget that he’s quietly become one of the most consistent kickers in NFL history. Having played 10 seasons with the New England Patriots and 9 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Vinatieri has had nothing short of a Hall of Fame career.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) reacts to his field goal in the fourth quarter of the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
While he may be a longshot to unseat kicking king Morten Andersen atop the NFL’s all-time scoring leaders, it certainly cannot be completely ruled out the way that Vinatieri continues to kick at a high level and disprove father time.
Having kicked for 140 total points last season (including field goals and PAT’s), Vinatieri would likely need to play for 3 more seasons around that pace to surpass Mortensen, whom he trails by 398 total points. Whether Vinatieri wants to continue to play until he’s 45 years old remains to be seen, but that’s what it’s likely going to take for the NFL’s all-time scoring supremacy.
Regardless, Vinatieri has already cemented himself as one of the best kickers in NFL history. He’s set to become the NFL’s 3rd all-time leading scorer this season, which is a testament to both his greatness and longevity as a kicker in the NFL. As a 4x Super Bowl Champion, 3x First-Team All-Pro, and 3x Pro Bowler, there’s little else for Vinatieri to actually accomplish, but this one will still be fun to watch.
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