Patriots Called Out for Hall of Fame Snub of Adam Vinatieri
As former star wide receiver Julian Edelman gets recognized as the latest New England Patriots Hall of Fame selection, a most essential former star has been left out.
That's legendary former kicker and three-time All-Pro Adam Vinatieri delivered the Patriots' first two Super Bowl wins on game-winning kicks in the 2001 and 2003 seasons. MassLive columnist Matt Vautour isn't pleased that Vinatieri didn't get in along with Edelman.
Advertisement
'If Vinatieri wasn't one of the most reliable clutch kickers in the history of the sport, the Patriots' entire stature as a franchise is different,' Vautour wrote on Tuesday.
Vautour went on to note how Tom Brady's and Bill Belichick's careers would have looked different had Vinatieri not made those field goals. In addition, Vantour noted that Edelman didn't ever make All-Pro as Vinatieri did.
Feb 3, 2002; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks the ball against the St. Louis Rams during Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17.Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
'For all the hand-wringing about how long it took Bill Parcells to get in, Vinatieri being left out is a bigger injustice,' Vautour wrote. 'When the Patriots were trying to win their first Super Bowl in 1997 against the (Green Bay) Packers, (Bill) Parcells was plotting his move to New England's arch rival.'
Advertisement
'Vinatieri left too, but only because the Patriots weren't willing to commit the same salary cap space to a kicker that the (Indianapolis) Colts were,' Vautour added.
Vinatieri only added to his career with the Colts amid a Super Bowl win, another 336 field goals made in 14 seasons. He started his career with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of then-Division II South Dakota State, where he kicked often in inclement weather.
His game-winning playoff kick for the Patriots in a snowy overtime AFC Divisional round game against the then-Oakland Raiders made the first Super Bowl win possible. As Vautour noted, Vinatieri 'is a New England icon' who 'deserves' to get in.
Related: Adam Vinatieri Reacts to Patriots' Hall of Fame Nomination
Related: Adam Vinatieri: 5 Best Kicks of NFL Career
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Colorado Replaces Folsom Field's Grass Amid Former Heisman Calling Out Risks
Colorado Replaces Folsom Field's Grass Amid Former Heisman Calling Out Risks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Colorado Football is transitioning from natural grass to artificial turf at Folsom Field. A new premium AstroTurf system is nearly installed, replacing the natural grass surface that has been in place since 1998. While it will be easier to maintain, one former Heisman winner is speaking out about the risks associated with playing on turf. Advertisement Reggie Bush was one of the most electric talents in college football's modern era. However, his NFL career was cut short in 2015 due to a freak injury on an unsafe surface in St. Louis. Bush recently said NFL Players are playing on unsafe surfaces every Sunday, and they need to fight back against it. "One thing I think they need to get rid of that's still out there and is still an issue is field turf," Bush told GQ. "When we look at the studies and the correlation between field turf and ACLs, PCLs, meniscuses, just about all leg injuries, a lot of it is traced back to the surface that you play on. They're playing on one of the most dangerous surfaces. We don't see soccer being played on field turf! In Europe, they would never allow that. Right? "For some reason here—especially the NFL, which is the most dangerous sport—you're playing on the most dangerous surface. The reason why it's dangerous is because athletes are now bigger, stronger, faster. It continues to evolve. When you're that strong and that fast, something's going to give. You plant your foot into that turf and what happens is turf will grab. Grass gives." If Deion Sanders wants to model his program to be the most NFL-ready in the nation, it starts with being consistent with what's going on in the league. Three of the past four Super Bowl winners play on grass at their respective home stadiums. Advertisement Related: Where Shedeur Sanders Stands in Browns' QB Depth Chart Today For Bush, the NFL's owners will always prioritize costs over safety. "Unfortunately, NFL owners still believe that turf is the cheapest, most cost-efficient way in a league that analyzes billions every year," Bush said. "It's unfortunate. It will continue until the players decide to stand up and say, 'Listen, we don't want to play on turf anymore.' The thing is, all players hate it." Related: Deion Sanders Cancels Speaking Engagement as Rumors Swirl With the House settlement now finalized and the College Sports Commission being established, the college football players need a union to represent them. The topic of playing surfaces should be a top priority in future negotiations with the commission. Advertisement If you want a good sample size, the NFLPA has said that its own surveys show more than 90 percent of players prefer playing on grass. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tony Grossi Has Words for Shedeur Sanders Hype: ‘He's a Developmental QB'
Tony Grossi Has Words for Shedeur Sanders Hype: 'He's a Developmental QB' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The honeymoon phase for Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland might be short-lived, at least if you ask longtime Browns analyst Tony Grossi. Advertisement As hype continues to swell around the Colorado Buffaloes legend following his selection in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Grossi is stepping in with a reality check. Appearing on 850 ESPN Cleveland, the veteran radio personality made it clear: the media is overhyping Sanders' early flashes, and it could be doing the young quarterback more harm than good. Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) catches a ballKen Blaze-Imagn Images 'The media are doing Shedeur a disservice by inflating where he's at right now,' Grossi said. 'He's a developmental quarterback, just like Dillon Gabriel—he's not a franchise quarterback.' Grossi's words were blunt but calculated. While many headlines are praising Sanders' accuracy in open OTAs, Grossi says the narrative doesn't match the reps. Sanders is the only QB in the Browns' room not taking consistent snaps with the starters, a telling sign for a team actively evaluating its future at the position. Advertisement Despite being one of the most high-profile names in college football under Coach Deion 'Prime' Sanders at Colorado, Shedeur slid to the fifth round in April. He now finds himself behind Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, journeyman Kenny Pickett, and Oregon standout Dillon Gabriel, who, it's worth noting, was drafted before Sanders. Grossi didn't mince words on the depth chart either. 'Overinflating expectations is just not good,' he added. 'He's not close to being QB1.' This might feel like a gut punch to Colorado fans who watched Sanders throw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024 despite playing behind one of the most porous offensive lines in college football. Still, Grossi's point isn't about talent, it's about timing and development. Advertisement The Cleveland Browns are notoriously cautious with quarterbacks, and with Flacco likely serving as a bridge, the team can afford to let Sanders mature behind the scenes. That's not the narrative fans want, but it may be the one that sets Shedeur up for long-term success. Colorado fans know what Shedeur can do. They've seen him perform under pressure, carry a program in transition, and silence critics with his arm and poise. If there's anything we've learned from Shedeur Sanders' journey so far, it's this: doubt him at your own risk. So, let's keep receipts. Whether Grossi is spot on or shortsighted, time, and Shedeur will tell. Advertisement Related: Deion Sanders Cancels Speaking Engagement as Rumors Swirl Related: Colorado Replaces Folsom Field's Grass Amid Former Heisman Calling Out Risks This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pedro Martínez's Latest Comments Leave Red Sox Fans in Disbelief
Pedro Martínez's Latest Comments Leave Red Sox Fans in Disbelief originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the late Don Zimmer knows all too well, Pedro Martínez wore a Boston Red Sox uniform when their rivalry with the New York Yankees truly mattered. Advertisement Over two decades after his final Yankees-Red Sox game, Martínez has no problems praising the Bronx Bombers when credit is due. However, the Hall of Fame pitcher left his devoted fans flabbergasted with his analysis during Tuesday's Yankees-Kansas City Royals game. 'The thing that impresses me the most is how the Yankees [present] themselves,' Martínez wrote on Twitter/X. 'The culture that they have,' Martínez added. 'It's a presence unlike anybody else. It must be the pinstripes.' Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martínez in 1998RVR Photos-Imagn Images Did someone at the TBS studios in Georgia steal Martínez's phone? Has he finally seen the light, and he'll report to Yankee Stadium this summer in a replica Derek Jeter jersey? Advertisement Either way, Red Sox fans aren't thrilled with their longtime ace. 'Did I just read a tweet where Pedro is talking good about the Yankees???' one fan wrote. Added another: ' me, WHAT? Is Pedro heavily medicated right now? This is not the Pedro I remember.' Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez in 2019Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images Plenty of Yankees fans, understandably, welcomed Martínez to their fanbase. Evidently, all is forgiven when a Red Sox great praises a team for their 'presence.' 'Blink twice if you're in danger,' an X/Twitter user quipped. 'We are living in the End Times,' another fan bemoaned. Related: MLB Makes Aaron Judge Announcement During Yankees-Royals Game Related: Yankees Announce Pitching Injury Before Royals Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
