One of the more intriguing stories with Patriots ties in Super Bowl XLIV is kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Now in his 14th season, this will be Vinatieri's record-tying sixth Super Bowl appearance. He also has a chance to join Charles Haley as the only player to win five Super Bowl rings.

Yet this Super Bowl trip is a bit different than his previous five, as he explains in this piece on ESPNBoston.

Vinatieri was asked about his best Patriots memory in the interview.

"Ten years there, going to the Super Bowl four times, that's pretty amazing," he said, recalling trips in the 1996, 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons. "I think the most memorable Super Bowl always will be the first one we won. Not just because it came down to a game-winner, but more that it was the first one. The first one is always more emotional."

Vinatieri added that his first Super Bowl with the Colts was also special "because a lot of the guys had never been there before, so you enjoy watching them get their first one."

At 37, Vinatieri isn't thinking retirement. The topic came up when he was asked how his potential Hall of Fame chances might be helped by winning a record-tying fifth Super Bowl ring. Only one kicker is in the Hall of Fame (Jan Stenerud).

"[Media members] love to talk about that stuff, but I try not to think about it and concern myself with it at all," he said. "I'm hoping that's not even a discussion for 10 years. I want to play another five, then you have to wait another five before that can be discussed. Hopefully it's a long way down the road."