Adam Vinatieri roasts Bill Belichick, girlfriend in Hall of Fame speech
· Yahoo Sports
CANTON, OH – The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a pious feel to it, especially on induction weekend.
Class of 2026 inductee and former New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri mucked up that reputation throughout his speech Saturday, Aug. 8. As ceremony host Chris Berman called it, "night at the improv."
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Vinatieri's speech began classically, with gratitude for his family, coaches and teammates. But while discussing Bill Belichick, his coach in New England and now leading the University of North Carolina, Vinatieri's disciplined speech until that point veered off course with a shot at the 74-year-old's dating life.
"Unfortunately, Bill couldn't make it today. There's a lot going on at UNC right now," he began. " ... I thought it was because training camp had already started, but in truth, he was judging his girlfriend's cheerleading competition."
Belichick's partner, Jordon Hudson, 25, is a competitive cheerleader. And Belichick wasn't the only larger-than-life figure to feel Vinatieri's jest.
Next up was Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, a 2021 Hall of Fame inductee.
"Peyton, thank you for generously donating your forehead for today's teleprompter," Vinatieri said. "A gigantic forehead means a big brain, and your football IQ is unmatched, buddy."
Former Colts punter and ESPN personality Pat McAfee had a front-row seat for the ceremony and also became a punchline.
“The only person in the world who enjoyed holding my balls more than my wife,” Vinatieri said.
Vinatieri kept the train on the tracks enough to choke up as he ended his speech. The four-time Super Bowl champion, who played 24 seasons in the NFL, is the third full-time placekicker voted into the Hall.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adam Vinatieri roasts Bill Belichick, girlfriend in Hall of Fame speech