Colts kick it off right: Veteran Vinatieri nails field goal to clinch Indy win

By MIKE BEAS
First Posted: September 16, 2012 - 9:47 pm
Last Updated: September 16, 2012 - 9:47 pm

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INDIANAPOLIS

The oldest Indianapolis Colt still packs plenty of kick.

Heroics never carry an expiration date in the mind of Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinatieri, who in his 17-year career has produced multiple game-winning field goals.

Sunday’s scoring in Lucas Oil Stadium ended the same way so many games have since Vinatieri broke into the National Football League in 1996: With a clutch field goal, and leap into the embrace of much larger teammates.

The kicker who uncharacteristically misfired on a 37-yard field goal attempt last week in the swirling winds of Chicago’s Soldier Field drilled a 53-yarder with eight seconds remaining as the Colts escaped with a 23-20 win against Minnesota in the Colts’ home-opener.

For Vinatieri, who turns 40 in December, career field goal Nos. 388, 389 and 390 were essential components to Indy evening its record at 1-1 entering next week’s home game against Jacksonville.

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