Adam Vinatieri has been struggling. The leading scorer in NFL history and four-time Super Bowl champion entered this week having converted only 2-of-5 extra-point attempts this season and 1-of-3 field goals.
Rumors swirled last week that the 46-year-old was contemplating retirement — though he ultimately decided to stick around, with full support from his head coach. Still, former kickers were called upon to try to diagnose what might be bothering him.
On Sunday at Lukas Oil Stadium, Vinatieri trotted out to attempt a 49-yard field goal early in the first quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons. You may recall that previously this year the fans in Indianapolis ingloriously booed Andrew Luck after word of his early, unexpected retirement leaked during a pre-season game. It was an awful look (and also probably the work of a vocal minority, as these things tend to be.)
This time, those fans stood and cheered, before watching Vinatieri knock a field goal off the upright and through for a 3-0 lead.
Maybe that gets Vinatieri back on the right track, or maybe his truly remarkable career is nearing its end. Hard to tell from that kick. But the moment was wonderful.
