Andres Borregales taking inspiration from Adam Vinatieri for Super Bowl 2026

SANTA CLARA, Calif. —

Andres Borregales spent his childhood watching Adam Vinatieri’s highlights, including that iconic game-winning field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI. Honestly, he can’t say for sure how many times he’s seen it. Maybe a thousand, maybe… a million?

“Perhaps,” Borregales chuckled. “It’s a lot, that’s for sure.”

Vinatieri, who was inducted into the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame, is synonymous with Super Bowl greatness. He played a pivotal role in securing the decisive fourth-quarter points during the Patriots’ first three Super Bowl victories in the early 2000s, and he racked up four titles in five attempts.

The last of those victories came just after Borregales’ second birthday and right before he took up kicking at age five. Fast forward, and he’s now the Patriots’ kicker in the 2026 Super Bowl against the Seahawks.

“Just think about all the kicks he made in those crucial moments,” Borregales said. “The weather and the Super Bowl definitely motivate me. Back in high school, my dream was to play at this level, especially in this game.”

And wearing this uniform?

“Absolutely,” he replied. “It’s incredibly special to represent the same team he did.”

The last few Super Bowls have been tight, with three of the past four decided by only three points. Recall Scott Norwood from the Bills, who missed a crucial chance late in Super Bowl 25 against the Giants. It seems a lot often hinges on the kicker.

“I try not to think too far ahead because, really, all that matters is winning,” Borregales shared. “Being a kicker can be pretty isolating… but if we make those kicks, fans tend to come around.”

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who was a teammate of Vinatieri’s during three Super Bowls, offered insights as well. “Kickers are great teammates when they’re on point, and Adam was certainly that kind of player. It was reassuring to know he’d come through when it was crucial.”

Borregales had distinct interactions with Vinatieri, especially during the AFC Championship Game.

After he connected on a game-tying kick amidst rain, the Broncos found it nearly impossible to recover. It echoed Vinatieri’s famous kick during the snow-covered Tuck Rule game back in 2001.

“We had a quick chat, and he told me, ‘Enjoy it, do your job, because you’re here for a reason,'” Borregales recalled. “He mentioned the weather making that game one of the worst he’d played in, with a snowstorm rolling in unexpectedly.”

Should he find himself in a pressure-filled moment like Vinatieri faced, Borregales feels extremely confident—“very high” confidence, to be exact—that he can cap off his rookie season on a positive note. So far, he has succeeded on 31 of 38 field goals (including playoffs), with a long attempt of 59 yards.