Adam Vinatieri, who was a record-setting performer for the South Dakota State University football program in the 1990s, became the all-time leading scorer in National Football League history Sunday as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
A Rapid City native, Vinatieri kicked two field goals and four extra points in the Colts' 42-28 win at Oakland, finishing the day with 2,550 points. He surpassed the previous mark of 2,544 points by Morten Andersen from 1982-2007. The record-breaking kick was a 25-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half.
Vinatieri's career totals include 573 field goals (573-of-679, 84.4 percent) and 829 extra points. He set the NFL career record for field goals earlier this season.
Currently the oldest player in the NFL at age 45, Vinatieri also holds the league record with 20 100-point seasons. In all, he holds 13 NFL records. Vinatieri also holds the distinction of being the only player in NFL history to score 1,000 points for two different teams – 1,058 points from 1996-2005 for New England and 1,492 points for the Colts from 2006-present.
The NFL's new all-time leading scorer, Adam Vinatieri, who passed Morten Andersen (2,544 points) today on his way into the record book and Canton. The NFL's greatest all-time kicker is now its all-time leading scorer with 2,547 points. And counting. pic.twitter.com/b9kOtoxUTR
During his career at SDSU from 1991-94, Vinatieri handled both the kicking and punting duties. He set numerous career records – all of which have since been broken -- including 104 career extra points, 27 career field goals and 185 career kicking points. His 38 extra points in 1993 also were a then-SDSU record.
Vinatieri posted a 41.8-yard punting average for his career, including a then-single-season mark of 43.5 as a senior. He was a three-time first-team all-North Central Conference selection as a punter and was a first-team NCAA Division II All-American (CoSIDA, Football Gazette) in 1994. Vinatieri also was a second-team all-NCC pick as a kicker as a sophomore.
In addition, Vinatieri was a GTE-CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree during his senior campaign.
23 seasons.
345 games.
2,547 points and counting.
The legend grows. < href="https://t.co/SHah3S6SUr">pic.twitter.com/SHah3S6SUr
Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts sets the NFL scoring record on a 25-yard field goal late in the first half Oct. 27 at the Oakland Raiders. Vinatieri has scored 2,550 points in his NFL career.
