When talking about the greatest clutch kickers in NFL history, Adam Vinatieri’s name sits comfortably at the top of the list. Throughout his 24-year career, he built a Hall of Fame résumé by making pressure kick after pressure kick. But none were more memorable than the ones he made during the legendary “Tuck Rule Game.”
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Snow blanketed the field at Foxboro Stadium during the 2001 AFC Divisional Round. Similar to how bleak the setting looked, things were a little dim for the New England Patriots, who were facing the Oakland Raiders. But Vinatieri drilled two of the most iconic field goals in league history, pushing the Patriots to an important win.
Here’s a recap of the night that made Adam Vinatieri’s career.
New England needed a miracle
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ORG XMIT: 01/20/02 — New England Patriots host the Oakland raiders in an AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium. — Patriots defeated the Raiders 16-13 in overtime. Photo shows Tom Brady loosing the ball during the controversial fumble that occured in the 4th quarter. The ruling on the field was that Brady fumbled the ball while he was being pressured by # 24 Charles Woodson (right) and was recovered by #54 Greg Biekert of the Raiders (left). The refs signal 1st down for the Raiders as the Patriots leave the field. The call was then reviewed and overturned as it was determined that Bradys arm was in a forward motion when he lost control and the play was ruled an incomplete pass. The Patriots went on the tie the game with and Adam Vinatieri fieldgoal and then won in overtime on another Vinatieri field goal. Photo by Bob Breidenbach
On January 19, 2002, the Patriots trailed the Raiders 13-10 late in the fourth quarter. By that point, footing was nearly impossible for every player because of the snow. Then came the play everyone remembers.
Raiders safety Charles Woodson forced a fumble on Tom Brady. It would have sent the Raiders to the AFC championship game, but it was not over for New England yet. The officials overturned the call under what became known as the Tuck Rule. What would have ended the game for the Patriots was ruled an incomplete pass.
Before it was removed in 2013, here’s what the rule validated:
“When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.”
Brady completed a 13-yard pass on the next play, setting it all up for Vinatieri.
The kick no one thought was possible
The job was not done. Even after the controversial ruling, the Patriots still needed one of the most impossible kicks imaginable.
With just 27 seconds left, Vinatieri lined up for a 45-yard field goal as snow fell. Visibility was poor, and the football itself became slick from the winter weather. None of it mattered.
Nothing makes me happier in football than seeing a KICKER get in the Hall of Fame and Adam Vinatieri is in. His kick in the tuck rule game is arguably the greatest field goal in NFL history considering significance, difficulty, conditions. #Patriots
Vinatieri kicked the ball perfectly, sending it through the uprights to tie the game and force overtime. It’s still one of the most iconic kicks in NFL postseason history because of the conditions under which it was made.
Then he did it again
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 01: Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts to having his field goal attempt blocked during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
After New England’s offense drove into scoring range, the veteran kicker trotted back onto the field with another chance to end the game. This time, he connected from 23 yards out, sending the Patriots to the AFC Championship Game with a 16-13 victory over the Raiders.
The overtime kick was short, but the pressure only grew. One miss wouldn’t have given the Raiders another opportunity to steal the game. Vinatieri made sure that the opportunity was sealed.
The birth of a dynasty
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HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady (12) raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy to celebrate the victory during the New England Patriots 34-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017, at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)) NFL American Football Herren USA FEB 05 Super Bowl LI – Falcons v Patriots PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon020517035251
Houston TX February 05 New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady 12 raises The Vince Lombardi Trophy to Celebrate The Victory during The New England Patriots 34 28 Victory Over The Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl left ON February 5 2017 AT NRG Stage in Houston TX Photo by Rich Graessle Icon Sports Wire NFL American Football men USA Feb 05 Super Bowl left Falcons v Patriots PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon020517035251
New England defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers the following week and then stunned the heavily favored St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Brady won his first championship, Bill Belichick earned his first title as a head coach, and the Patriots dynasty began. It produced six Super Bowl championships over the next two decades.
If Vinatieri had missed the 45-yarder, none of this may have happened. More than two decades later, on Story Time with Tom, Brady called the play the “greatest kick of all-time.”