The Indianapolis Colts today signed kicker Adam Vinatieri to a contract extension.
"Adam is one the best players in NFL history and we are excited to keep him in Indianapolis," said Colts General Manager Chris Ballard. "He continues to play at a high level and his experience and production are valuable assets for our team. Adam is the consummate pro and a key leader in our locker room."
Vinatieri, 6-0, 212 pounds, was originally signed by the Colts as an unrestricted free agent on March 22, 2006. In Indianapolis, Vinatieri has converted 296-of-342 field goal attempts (86.5 percent) and 441-of-449 PATs for 1,329 points. He owns the Colts record for points scored, extra points made and field goals made. Vinatieri was a member of the Colts Super Bowl XLI championship team. He has played in the second-most playoff games (30) in league history and holds multiple career NFL postseason records including points scored (234) and field goals made (56).
Vinatieri, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, has played in 337 career games over his 22-year NFL career. He has connected on 559-of-663 field goal attempts (84.3 percent), made 808-of-823 PATs and scored one two-point conversion for 2,487 career points. Vinatieri ranks second in league history in field goals made and total points. Entering the 2018 season, Vinatieri is 58 points shy of passing Morten Andersen for the most points in NFL history and needs seven field goals to pass Andersen for the most in league history. He ranks fifth all-time in career regular season games played. Vinatieri registered 1,158 points during his 10 seasons (1996-2005) with the New England Patriots and is the only player in league history to record 1,000 points with two franchises. His 84.3 career field goal percentage ranks 13th all-time. Vinatieri has 27 game-winning field goals in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime. He has earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors 17 times (NFL record), NFL Player of the Week honors one time (playoffs) and has been named AFC Special Teams Player of Month five times (tied for NFL record). From 2015-16, Vinatieri set a new NFL record and franchise record for the most consecutive field goals converted with 44.
In 2017, Vinatieri connected on 29-of-34 field goals (85.3 percent) and 22-of-24 PATs for 109 points. It marked his 20th 100-point season of his career, which extended his NFL record. He was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 5. In the Colts' 26-23 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Vinatieri converted 4-of-4 field goal attempts and two PATs for 14 points. He connected on field goals of 52, 51, 38 and 23 yards. Vinatieri split the uprights on a 51-yard field goal attempt in overtime to seal the Indianapolis win. It was his 27th career game-winning kick. On the field goal, Vinatieri moved into second place all-time in NFL history in field goals made.
Vinatieri joined the Colts after playing 10 seasons (1996-2005) with the New England Patriots. He is the only kicker in NFL history to record successful field goals in four Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX and XLI).
