| As an undrafted free agent picked up by the New England Patriots in 1996, Adam Vinatieri is making many teams regret the choice of passing on him. Since then, Vinatieri has earned himself the title of the greatest clutch kicker in the NFL, and perhaps in the history of the entire league. During the 2001 playoffs against the Oakland Raiders, during a relentless blizzard at Foxboro, Vinatieri kicked a 45-yard field goal at the end of regulation to tie the game 13-13 and send it into overtime, ultimately kicking a 23 yard game-winning FG in OT. In a game that is now called the Snow Bowl, Vinatieri's 45-yd. FG is widely considered one of the most clutch plays in NFL history. He followed these heroics by nailing a game-winning FG on the final play of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, giving the Patriots a 20-17 victory. In an eerily similar situation 2 years later, Vinatieri once again proved just how clutch he is, connecting on a 41-yd FG with 4 seconds left on the clock to give the Patriots a 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. The 2-time Pro Bowler led the league in scoring in 2004 with 141 points and even threw a touchdown pass against the St. Louis Rams. Vinatieri was signed to a lucrative contract by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2006 offseason to help sure up their kicking game. This framed 8x10 photo that shows Vinatieri's famous "snow kick" against the Raiders in the 2001 Playoffs is signed by Vinatieri and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. |
