During the 2025 NFL Honors, the members of the 2025 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced, but in his first year on the ballot, former New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri wasn’t selected.
The class of 2025 instead included Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe.
Vinatieri, 52, played collegiately at South Dakota State from 1991-94 before going undrafted in 1996. He signed with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League of American Football as both a kicker and a punter before signing with the Patriots later that year.
He spent 10 years in New England, winning three Super Bowls (playing in four), making two All-Pro teams and earning two Pro Bowl nominations.
Vinatieri signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006, playing 14 seasons for the team, winning another Super Bowl (playing in two), making another All-Pro team and earning another Pro Bowl nomination.
He currently holds the NFL record for most points scored, most field goals made, most consecutive field goals made and most postseason field goals made.
He’s also been named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, the Patriots All-1990s Team, the Patriots All-2000s Team, the Patriots 50th Anniversary Team and the Patriots All-Dynasty Team.
If Vinatieri was called to Canton he would’ve been the 11th former Patriots player to make it to the Hall. He joins Richard Seymour, Ty Law, Randy Moss, Andre Tippett, Nick Buoniconti, John Hannah, Mike Haynes, Curtis Martin, Darrelle Revis, Junior Seau and Steve McMichael.
He also would’ve joined Morten Anderson, Jan Stenerud, Lou Groza (kicker and offensive tackle) and George Blanda (kicker and quarterback) as one of five kickers to make the Hall of Fame.
Now, Vinatieri will have to wait another year.
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