INDIANAPOLIS — If solid kicking is good #ForTheBrand, then, like Air Jordan, Adam Vinatieri should own his own clothing line.
The Indianapolis Colts on Thursday announced the re-signing of kicker Adam Vinatieri to a reported one-year deal, keeping the future Hall of Famer in Indy for a 23rd NFL season — and his 13th in the Circle City.
The re-signing of Vinatieri, barring any unforeseen issues this offseason going into training camp, essentially seals his fate as the greatest kicker in league history; he needs just 58 points and eight made field goals to pass Morten Andersen to become the NFL's all-time record holder in both categories, accomplishments he could easily have in the bag by mid-season.
Over the years, Vinatieri has had plenty of special teams running mates, both in his stints with the New England Patriots and the Colts, but perhaps none has seen more combined success than he did in his eight seasons with punter/holder/kickoff specialist Pat McAfee.
Those two, along with long snapper Matt Overton, formed the Colts' successful "Fourth Down Army" that saw each member voted to the Pro Bowl at least once for the Colts from 2012 through 2016, while McAfee's time with Vinny goes back to his rookie season in 2009.
Now happily retired, McAfee is doing his thing entertaining the masses with Barstool Sports, and has kept things local by opening up his own Indianapolis location, known as Barstool Heartland.
Over the past season, McAfee has been sure to keep us updated on his NFL and football thoughts, Colts or otherwise, as special teamers across the league continue to excel, which, we all know by now, is "good #ForTheBrand."
And when news of his good pal's new contract were made public on Thursday, McAfee replied accordingly:
Then, once pen was to paper, the Colts asked for McAfee's reaction to the news:
"How's it going? I'm here at my show, live, and I just got a chance to read the incredible news of Vinatieri signing one more year back with the Indianapolis Colts. He loves Indianapolis. It's the place his family lives, his kids love it. He's so happy to be a Hoosier, and I'm so happy they got a deal done. He's going to be the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, and he's going to do it in the Horseshoe. It's a beautiful thing. He was a leader to me not only on the field and off the field; he got me through so many things. I'm lucky to have worked with the GOAT. Truly the greatest of all-time, and I cannot wait to see his old leg bomb some more balls on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays in America, England, Mexico and everywhere else they play for another season with the NFL. Congrats old man; proud of you, buddy. Go ahead and do that fist pump that you did before Tiger Woods and ride off into the sunset as an absolute legend. Hall of Fame bound. Proud of you, man."
I'd say that just about says it all.
