Patriots Legend Becomes Eligible for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Seven new inductees were honored with a gold jacket and a bronze bust at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio. With the Hall of Fame's Class of 2024 enshrined into football immortality, eyes are now turned to those former players eligible for the first time in 2025.

One former New England Patriot legend and playoff hero, kicker Adam Vinatieri, is among those vying for a spot in Canton.

Vinatieri played for the Patriots from 1996-2005 and etched himself into Boston sports lore by converting some of the most clutch kicks in NFL history.

In the "Tuck Rule" 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, Vinatieri made a 45-yard field goal in blizzard conditions with 27 seconds left to tie the game at 13 and send it to overtime. He would then hit a 23-yarder in the extra period to advance the Patriots to the AFC Championship Game. His 45-yarder in the snow at Foxboro Stadium has been labeled as possibly "the most clutch kick ever" and even Bill Belichick called it "by far the greatest kick I have ever seen" in 2018.

Weeks later, New England had their first Super Bowl as Vinatieri emphatically drilled a 48-yarder as time expired, capping off an improbable upset of the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. St. Louis' "Greatest Show on Turf" came into the game as 14 point favorites.

Two years later, Vinatieri once again found the Super Bowl resting on his right foot, as he knocked a 41-yard field goal through the uprights with four seconds left to top the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII and hand the Patriots their second title in three seasons. New England's victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the following season cemented the Patriots as the NFL's first dynasty of the 21st century.

After departing Foxboro, Vinatieri spent 14 seasons in Indianapolis, remarkably still playing until just weeks shy of his 47th birthday. His 397 combined regular season and postseason games are the most in NFL history.

Vinatieri left the Patriots as the franchise's all-time leading score. But that mark was surpassed by Stephen Gostkowski. Despite not holding the Patriots' top spot, the South Dakota native is the NFL's all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points.

In addition to his games played and scoring records, Vinatieri holds the record for most consecutive field goals made and most career field goals attempted. His resume includes four Super Bowl titles, three All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections, and selections to the NFL 2000s All-Decade and 100th Anniversary All-Time teams.

The Patriots honored Vinatieri's accomplishments with the franchise by naming him to their All-1990s and All-2000s teams, along with their 50th Anniversary and All-Dynasty teams. His No. 4 jersey was also not issued for another 14 seasons following his departure.

Vinatieri last appeared in an NFL game on Dec. 1, 2019. Players and coaches must wait five seasons after their retirement to be eligible.

If Vinatieri is selected in his first year of eligibility, he will join some exclusive company. Of the 371 current members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, only 90 have been selected in their first year on the first ballot.

Furthermore, only two exclusively placekickers have been inducted into the Hall - Morten Andersen and Jan Stenerud. Punter Ray Guy is the only player at his position to be enshrined in Canton.

If any kicker deserves first-ballot Hall of Fame recognition, it is Adam Vinatieri. Even if he doesn't make it in on his first try, Pats fans will never forget his pivotal part in igniting the Patriots dynasty.

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