Adam Vinatieri Super Bowl Field Goals Record
The clutch kicker who sealed two championships with the Colts' final kick.
Adam Vinatieri holds two Super Bowl game-winning field goals for the Indianapolis Colts, delivering the decisive kicks in each championship's closing seconds. This record defines his reputation as the ultimate pressure performer under the NFL's biggest lights.
- Role
- Placekicker
- Team
- Indianapolis Colts (1996-2005)
- Super Bowl Wins
- Two (XLI and XLIV)
- Game-Winning Field Goals in Super Bowls
- Three (Record Holder)
- Notable Achievement
- Last-second field goal to win Super Bowl XLI
- Legacy Status
- Colts Ring of Honor Inductee
Lore & Background
The defining moment of this record occurred in Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears, where Vinatieri's 40-yard field goal as time expired secured the franchise's first championship since moving to Indianapolis. This feat was not an isolated incident; it was a culmination of years of pressure management and precision that made him the most trusted weapon in the Colts' arsenal during their peak years under Coach Tony Dungy.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the stadium is thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that vibrates through the turf. The clock ticks down to zero seconds remaining on the play clock, the Bears defense forming a wall of blue and orange. Vinatieri steps onto the gridiron, his helmet gleaming under the floodlights, blocking out the roar of 70,000 fans. He takes a deep breath, steadies his hands, and as the snap comes through, he strikes the leather with surgical precision. The ball spirals perfectly into the night sky, sailing between the uprights just as the buzzer sounds, sealing history.
Reader's Guide
The achievement of Adam Vinatieri's Super Bowl field goal record stands as a testament to mental fortitude and technical perfection in American football. It is defined by his three game-winning field goals across two different Super Bowls, a feat that remains unmatched in the modern era. This record was solidified primarily during his time with the Indianapolis Colts, specifically culminating in Super Bowl XLI. In that historic match against the Chicago Bears, Vinatieri kicked a 40-yarder as time expired to win the game 29-17. This moment is widely regarded as one of the greatest individual performances in Super Bowl history. The significance of this record extends beyond simple statistics; it represents the defining characteristic of the Colts' championship era under Coach Tony Dungy. Vinatieri's ability to deliver when the stakes were highest provided a psychological edge that opponents could not overcome, making him an indispensable part of the team's identity.
Did You Know?
- Vinatieri is the only player in NFL history to kick game-winning field goals in two different Super Bowls with his first team (Colts) and later with another (Patriots).
- His game-winner in Super Bowl XLI was a 40-yard field goal that occurred at the very last second of regulation time.
- Vinatieri holds the record for most points scored in Super Bowl history, a total accumulated over his career with multiple franchises.