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Legendary NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri never wanted to leave the New England Patriots.
It all came down to business. Vinatieri wanted a "fair deal" after kicking game-winning field goals in two Super Bowls for the Patriots, but the two sides never agreed on an extension when he became a free agent. It ultimately ended with him leaving the Patriots for the Indianapolis Colts.
"Mr. [Robert] Kraft and I had a wonderful conversation last year when I came back [for a game] and cleared the [air] on how it all happened," said Vinatieri, via ESPN's Mike Reiss. "He thought that I just wanted to find a new place. That was absolutely not the situation. I had 10 years with New England and was never a free agent.
"After the 10th year, when I became a free agent, I didn't want to leave. I just wanted a fair deal. Negotiations took a different way, and that's different people's philosophies on how they manage the team, or whatever ... but I loved all my time there. To the day I die, there's a huge spot in my heart for the organization and the people in New England. No hard feelings at all, for sure."
Vinatieri enjoyed a 10-year run with the Patriots before signing with the Colts. He'd go on to play another 14 seasons in the NFL. There aren't many all-time kicker debates without Vinatieri's name being mentioned.
He leads the league in most career points (2,673), most consecutive field goals made (44) and most career field goals made (599). The Patriots recently announced him as one of three nominees for the team's Hall of Fame. Wideout Julian Edelman and guard Logan Mankins are the other two nominees.
Vinatieri, without question, played a major role in the Patriots' dynasty, and he clearly deserves to be permanently enshrined at Patriots Place at some point.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Adam Vinatieri makes admission on decision to leave New England
Continue reading...
It all came down to business. Vinatieri wanted a "fair deal" after kicking game-winning field goals in two Super Bowls for the Patriots, but the two sides never agreed on an extension when he became a free agent. It ultimately ended with him leaving the Patriots for the Indianapolis Colts.
"Mr. [Robert] Kraft and I had a wonderful conversation last year when I came back [for a game] and cleared the [air] on how it all happened," said Vinatieri, via ESPN's Mike Reiss. "He thought that I just wanted to find a new place. That was absolutely not the situation. I had 10 years with New England and was never a free agent.
"After the 10th year, when I became a free agent, I didn't want to leave. I just wanted a fair deal. Negotiations took a different way, and that's different people's philosophies on how they manage the team, or whatever ... but I loved all my time there. To the day I die, there's a huge spot in my heart for the organization and the people in New England. No hard feelings at all, for sure."
Vinatieri enjoyed a 10-year run with the Patriots before signing with the Colts. He'd go on to play another 14 seasons in the NFL. There aren't many all-time kicker debates without Vinatieri's name being mentioned.
He leads the league in most career points (2,673), most consecutive field goals made (44) and most career field goals made (599). The Patriots recently announced him as one of three nominees for the team's Hall of Fame. Wideout Julian Edelman and guard Logan Mankins are the other two nominees.
Vinatieri, without question, played a major role in the Patriots' dynasty, and he clearly deserves to be permanently enshrined at Patriots Place at some point.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Adam Vinatieri makes admission on decision to leave New England
Continue reading...
