The website www.bigcoltsfan.com provides a brief but quite complete overview of Adam Vinatieri's football accomplishments. In high school, Vinatieri lettered in football, wrestling, soccer and track. He attended South Dakota State University and was a four-year letterman as a placekicker and punter. While at South Dakota State University, Vinatieri established an all-time scoring record as a placekicker scoring 185 points. In 1996, he was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent to be a placekicker. He played for them his first 10 years in the NFL and was fortunate enough to help the Patriots get to the Super Bowl four times...winning 3 out of 4 times! In 2005, Vinatieri became a free agent and in March, 2006 he signed a 5 year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts reached the Super Bowl XLI by defeating the Chicago Bears...this was the fourth Super Bowl victory for Vinatieri. Vinatieri is the first kicker ever to play in five Super Bowls and win four Super Bowl rings! The website www.bigcoltsfan.com notes that Vinatieri is called by many "the greatest kicker of all time". Adam was a Pro-Bowl and All-Pro selection in 2002, 2004 and 2005. In the 2008 season with the Colts, Vinatieri made 331 Field Goals out of 403 with a field goal percentage of 82.1%. In 2008 his longest field goal was 57 yards. His nickname is "Automatic Adam" which speaks to his accuracy and "Iceman" which speaks to his great poise under pressure.
Vinatieri has been active in his hometown and state and has helped and encouraged Christian athletes. He has been involved in D.A.R.E., the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau and been a spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield's teen anti-smoking contest.
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