After New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick already released a statement about recently retired kicker Adam Vinatieri, team owner Robert Kraft also issued one. Praising the long-time Patriot for his clutch performances and the respect he earned early in his career, Kraft noted that Vinatieri would soon find his way to both the Patriots and the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Adam Vinatieri earned the respect of his teammates and Patriots fans everywhere in 1996 when he caught Herschel Walker from behind for a touchdown-saving tackle on a kickoff return. For the next 10 years, that respect and admiration grew with every clutch performance and game-winning kick, especially his iconic 48-yard field goal as time expired in Super Bowl XXXVI.