Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is one of the best kickers in NFL history, if not the best. He is the NFL's all-time leading scorer, with 2,673 points, and spent 10 seasons with the New England Patriots before moving on to Indianapolis, where he would spend 14 seasons with the Colts.
Across his incredible career, Vinatieri made the Pro Bowl three times and was a three-time All-Pro. He is a four-time Super Bowl champion, often kicking last-minute field goals to win the game for his team. Yet despite how legendary his career was, the NFL typically doesn't recognize legends on special teams.
Vinatieri was snubbed last year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which was infuriating to Colts fans. There was no doubt that Vinatieri deserved to be included with other football greats, but as a kicker, he had a long road ahead of him; only two other kickers have ever made it in: Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen.
The long wait is over for one of the most legendary figures in Colts history
Finally, though, Vinatieri has been given his due. As a finalist last year, Vinatieri automatically made it to the same stage this year and has officially been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Vinatieri was named to the Class of 2026, along with Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, and Roger Craig.
There's no doubting that Vinatieri is right where he belongs. In addition to being the NFL's all-time leading scorer, he also has made more field goals than any other kicker in history, with 599, played in the most games of any NFL player (397), and has scored the most points in the postseason of any NFL player, with 238 points scored in 32 playoff games.
good morning, here is 13 minutes of Vinny's kicks.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) February 6, 2026
more highlights on https://t.co/L0POMCeANr pic.twitter.com/0gyBoju4ue
Immediately after the induction was announced, Vinatieri had a message for Colts Nation. "Hey Colts fans -- Adam Vinatieri here. Just got introduced up on the stage, I'm still -- I can't take this smile away," he said. "I'm pretty excited. Just want to thank all you guys out there for helping us along the way."
He also had a message for Reggie Wayne, who has routinely been snubbed for the Hall of Fame, despite being one of the best wide receivers of all time. Wayne is still part of the Indianapolis Colts franchise as the wide receivers coach. Still, Wayne made sure to offer his congratulations to his teammate on X, with both acknowledging the other's legendary status.
"Reggie, wish you were here with me, buddy. Love you, man," Vinatieri said. "But all you Colts fans, Irsay family, and everybody there at the organization, I couldn't have done it without you. Fourteen wonderful years with you guys. It means the world to me, and I'm excited to get back with all of you."