Former South Dakota State football special teams weapon Adam Vinatieri was announced as a member of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class on Thursday, Feb. 5.
The former Patriots and Colts kicker will join quarterback Drew Brees, running back Roger Craig, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and linebacker Luke Kuechly in the Class of 2026.
Adam Vinatieri at SDSU
Vinatieri is the NFL’s all-time leading point scorer with 2,673 points over his 24-year career. He set 14 other NFL records, including the all-time made field goals record with 599 and the most 100-point seasons in history with 21.
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He was born in Yankton and grew up in Rapid City before becoming a standout for the Jackrabbits from 1991 to 1994. He was All-North Central Conference as a kicker and punter at SDSU, and an NCAA Division II All-American as a punter his senior season.
At the time of his graduation, Vinatieri held the program records for single-season punting average at 43.5 yards per punt, longest field goal at 51 yards — which he accomplished twice — most points by a placekicker, most career PATs and most career field goals. All of his records have been broken.
He then went to NFL Europe to launch his pro career before signing with the New England Patriots in 1996. He kicked for the Patriots from 1996 to 2005, winning three Super Bowls. He kicked game-winning field goals in Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams and Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers.
Vinatieri moved on to the Indianapolis Colts from 2006 to 2019, finishing his illustrious career at 47 years old. He won another Super Bowl for the Colts, beating the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLI.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SDSU football alum Adam Vinatieri selected for NFL Hall of Fame