Pats Pulpit
The former Patriots kicker is among the finalists to join this year’s Hall of Fame class.
The 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be announced on Thursday night, and one former member of the New England Patriots appears to have a good chance of ultimately making the cut. Adam Vinatieri, who spent his first 10 NFL seasons in Foxboro, would become just the third pure placekicker to earn the famous gold jacket.
Vinatieri joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1996, and over the course of his career with the organization developed into arguably the most clutch kicker in NFL history. A three-time Super Bowl champion, who earned a fourth ring with the Indianapolis Colts, he was vital to the establishment of the New England dynasty in the early 2000s.
Considering his résumé, he expressed optimism about his outlook in a recent interview with WEEI.
“It would be amazing, obviously,” Vinatieri said about potentially getting enshrined. “It would be a lie for us all to say, ‘We don’t think about it. it’s not on my mind, it’s no big deal.’ That’s obvious. At this point in my post-career this whole process this year — getting nominated, making it through a couple of cuts and making it to the finals — is an amazing thing.
“Holding my breath, obviously, but there’s no guarantee at this level. Everybody that’s in the top 15 are definitely worthy, and probably rightfully so. We’ll see. I don’t know what the expectation should be, but I’m very optimistic.”
Vinatieri is one of 15 modern-era finalists vying for no more than five available spots in the Class of 2025. For a player to make it in, he will need to receive a minimum of 80 percent of the vote.
Joining him on the list of finalists are quarterback Eli Manning, running back Fred Taylor, wide receivers Torry Holt, Steve Smith and Reggie Wayne, tight end Antonio Gates, offensive linemen Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans and Marshal Yanda, defensive ends Jared Allen and Terrell Suggs, linebacker Luke Kuechly, cornerback Eric Allen, and safety Darren Woodson. Out of those 14, three also have connections to the Patriots.
Taylor spent two seasons in New England, appearing in 14 total games between 2009 and 2010. In addition, Holt and Wayne were part of the Patriots’ training camp rosters in 2010 and 2015, respectively.
Besides the modern-era finalists, voters will also consider three senior candidates as well as one coach and one contributor in a separate vote. In total, no more than eight people will be enshrined into Hall of Fame this year between those combined sets of finalists.
Vinatieri is looking to become the 13th ex-Patriot to be voted a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
