Adam Vinatieri: Still 'A Lot Of Love And Loyalty' For Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -- It has been 10 years since Adam Vinatieri left New England for the Indianapolis Colts, but he still feels the connection to the team that gave him his shot 20 years ago.
Vinatieri joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger & Massarotti on Radio Row in San Francisco on Wednesday, and said his love for New England still runs deep.
"I have a lot of love and loyalty for the New England Patriots and I always will. I hope they still welcome me back," said Vinatieri. "I don't know a lot of the Patriots anymore, but I still feel there is a brotherhood. Robert Kraft [tells you] you're like one of his kids, and I feel that -- it's not just lip service."
Vinatieri has now spent equal parts of his career in New England and Indianapolis, and said it's unfortunate that his kids don't remember him in a Patriots' uniform. At least they have plenty of highlights to relive his 10-year career in New England.
"I feel like I've had two separate careers. I know the first handful of years I was in Indy, I felt the tie with New England much more. The sad thing for me is my children, who are 12, 10 and 5, don't remember me as a New England Patriot. They've seen the pictures on the wall or Super Bowl highlights, but they don't remember seeing me kick," he said. "I want to make sure my kids remember me playing, which I think they will now. But the fact they don't know the New England side of it is a little disappointing.
"But I look forward to taking them to the [Hall at Patriots Place], and hopefully Mr. Kraft welcomes me back to a game so the kids can see all of that," he said.
Vinatieri will no doubt have his own evening at Gillette when his playing days come to an end, and he can expect to receive a rousing ovation whenever that night comes. That's a different reaction than when he comes to town in a Colts' uniform, with some Patriots fans raining boos on the former Super Bowl hero.
"I expect that from New England. It's the gamesmanship. It's what they do," he said. "Hopefully when my career is done and over and I'm back for a game, hopefully they don't boo me then."
When will that retirement come? Vinatieri said that even at the age of 43, he wants to keep on kicking.
"I still feel good, I'm still loving it and still enjoying it. Why quit?"