Patriots legend Adam Vinatieri opens up about being named a finalist for Patriots Hall of Fame Class of 2025
The New England Patriots announced that legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri along with receiver Julian Edelman and guard Logan Mankins were named finalists for the Patriots Hall of Fame Class of 2025. And speaking with ESPN's Mike Reiss, Vinatieri explained what this recognition means to him. "I was very honored, obviously," Vinatieri said. "Lots of great […]
The New England Patriots announced that legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri along with receiver Julian Edelman and guard Logan Mankins were named finalists for the Patriots Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
And speaking with ESPN's Mike Reiss, Vinatieri explained what this recognition means to him.
"I was very honored, obviously," Vinatieri said. "Lots of great players have come and gone through the Patriots organization. Dynasties were built and rebuilt. Just being recognized as one of the guys who helped lay down the foundation for the years to come is a surreal thing for me."
Earlier this month, Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced that Bill Parcells will be inducted as a contributor to the Patriots Hall of Fame.
And it would be a storybook ending for Vinatieri who would get to be inducted in the Hall of Fame with the coach who brought him into the league. Parcells signed Vinatieri in 1996 as an undrafted free agent and he had to compete with 17-year veteran Matt Bahr. In the end, Parcells went with Vinatieri and the rest is history
Vinatieri won three Super Bowls during his time with the Patriots, being responsible for their wins in many key games during those championship runs.
However, after the 2005 season, the Patriots did not place their franchise tag on Vinatieri, so he entered free agency and ultimately signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
"Mr. [Robert] Kraft and I had a wonderful conversation last year when I came back [for a game] and cleared the [air] on how it all happened," Vinatieri told ESPN about him departing New england. "He thought that I just wanted to find a new place. That was absolutely not the situation.
"I had 10 years with New England and was never a free agent. After the 10th year, when I became a free agent, I didn't want to leave. I just wanted a fair deal. Negotiations took a different way, and that's different people's philosophies on how they manage the team, or whatever
"But I loved all my time there. To the day I die, there's a huge spot in my heart for the organization and the people in New England. No hard feelings at all, for sure."
