The 53-year-old Vinatieri’s kick took place at Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe,” on snow-covered ground with swirling winds.
“Snow is simply part of my time with the Patriots,” said Vinatieri, who converted plenty of kicks in snowy conditions during his career, including in the 2001 season’s AFC Championship Game against the Raiders. “But kicking a field goal at 3,454 meters is something completely different from anything I've ever done. You feel the altitude with every breath you take, your heart rate is different, your rhythm is different, and no one can really tell you beforehand how it will affect the kick, because no one has done this before. The fact that we were able to set the record under these conditions makes me very proud.”
Vinatieri split the uprights in front of a small, but joyous gathering.
Having made his last official NFL kick on Dec. 1, 2019, for the Colts, Vinatieri’s latest boot was official, according to Guiness.
It also came with him donning a Patriots jersey as part of the Patriots’ countdown to their Nov. 15 game in Munich, against the Detroit Lions.