Adam Vinatieri helped launch the New England Patriots’ dynasty during the 2001 playoffs and quickly became one of their most trusted postseason players before joining the Indianapolis Colts. Across his 15 postseason appearances, he became a four-time Super Bowl champion, winning titles alongside both Tom Brady and QB Peyton Manning.
Nearly seven years after ending his playing career in 2019, Vinatieri finally received his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many expected key Patriots figures to make the trip, especially owner Robert Kraft and Brady. However, neither attended the ceremony.
That absence caught the attention of Boston radio host Ken Laird, who questioned why the two missed such an important moment for a franchise legend.
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WEEI’s Laird and former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson discussed Brady and Kraft’s absence from the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.
Laird explained that he understood why Bill Belichick didn’t attend the ceremony since he was snubbed earlier this year. However, Brady’s absence bothered him most.
“For Brady, it does sting a little bit differently because Bill, I feel like he’s got an excuse because he was snubbed directly last year,” Laird said. “What did Brady have going on? I don’t know. I feel like he should have been there.”
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Johnson, however, offered some context and noted that Vinatieri joined the Patriots in 1996 while Brady arrived in 2000, creating an age gap between the two.
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Johnson also pointed out that being longtime teammates does not automatically mean two players are close friends. Brady clearly formed stronger bonds with certain teammates, including Rob Gronkowski.
Even with that explanation, Laird still believed Brady should have shown up. Brady embodied the Patriots during the era when Vinatieri delivered several defining moments for the franchise.
“But it just feels like he’s the face of the franchise in that era,” Laird added. “And like, to your point, Vinatieri was so important and instrumental in you guys winning. It’s hard to separate both Belichick and Brady from Vinatieri.”
Vinatieri signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent on June 28, 1996, after a season with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe. During his first five seasons, he converted 80.5% of his field goals and appeared in six playoff games before Brady took over at quarterback.
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He won three titles with the Patriots in 2002 (Super Bowl XXXVI), 2004 (Super Bowl XXXVIII), and 2005 (Super Bowl XXXIX). He also won his fourth with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007 (Super Bowl XLI).
While Brady and Belichick were absent from his Hall of Fame induction, Vinatieri got his revenge by cracking jokes about them during his Hall of Fame speech.
Vinatieri first thanked Belichick before turning his attention to the former coach’s personal life.
“Unfortunately, Bill couldn’t make it here today,” he said. “There’s a lot going on at UNC right now. He may be on a recruiting trip right now looking for the next Lawrence Taylor. I thought it was because training camp already started. But in truth, it’s because he’s judging his girlfriend’s cheerleading competition.”
Vinatieri then made sure to praise Belichick, calling him the best coach of all time. Then, Vinatieri brought Brady into the fun.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion became another target as Vinatieri joked that he would hold back because he feared getting slapped like Logan Paul last month.
He also teased Peyton Manning about his large forehead.
Although Vinatieri later apologized for any jokes that offended anyone, fans largely embraced the speech.
