INUVIK - A four-time Super Bowl champion paid Inuvik a visit on Thursday in search of another sort of trophy - a muskox.

Adam Vinatieri, a kicker with the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts, was actually passing through with a few buddies on his way to Paulatuk for a five-day hunting trip.

Marty Verbonac, centre, embraces NFL-er Adam Vinatieri, right, and his hunting buddy Bob Serrano at the airport on Friday where they were supposed to depart for a muskox hunt in Paulatuk before their flight was delayed till Saturday. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

After spending a night at the Mackenzie Inn, he shared a few laughs with front desk staff early Friday afternoon before he and his hunting partner, Bob Serrano were whisked away to the airport to catch a charter.

Their airport driver was resident Marty Verbonac, an associate of Vinatieri's hunting guide in Paulatuk.

It's Vinatieri's second trip to the region. The first came a few years ago on a grizzly bear hunt and he didn't go back home empty handed.

The idea to return came from Serrano and Vinatieri didn't hesitate to sign up. The pair have travelled around the world on hunting trips. Now they want a muskox to add to their collection.

"I said, 'let's go do this,'" said Vinatieri.

"It's not very often that you can go and shoot one of these types of animals. They're only up here.

It's one of those neat prehistoric animals. It's not like shooting a white tail ... So we thought this would be a nice addition to our trophy rooms."

And if he gets one he plans to mount the entire body, not just the head. Apart from winning four Super Bowls, Vinatieri's generally considered to be one of the greatest clutch kickers in the history of the NFL. He managed two game-winning kicks in the final seconds of two Super Bowls. He's also played with future Hall of Famers Tom Brady and currently Peyton Manning. Hunting gives him an outlet away from a relentless nine-month football schedule.

He's excited to get back on the land and pursue his passion for hunting, which, Vinatieri said, is difficult to explain to someone who doesn't share it.

"It's the final stalk of the animal, when you're standing over your animal that you just harvested, after the hard work you put into it," he said.

"If you have to ask, you don't understand."

Verbonac has been working with expedition guides throughout the settlement region for about the past 15 years. It's his role to welcome customers and ensure they're well looked after.

He's served more than a few famous customers. While he admits it's fun to meet people like Vinatieri he adds most are down to earth and seemingly ordinary people.

"Adam's a pretty normal, down to earth, likable guy. He doesn't have an attitude, he's not a prima donna."

As far as who the greatest player he ever played with goes, Vinatieri wouldn't say, although names like Manning and Brady did come up.

"It's about (Manning and Brady's) work ethic and how much they study the game and they work their butt off to be as good as they are. Sure they have God-given abilities. But getting to the NFL and staying there and being successful at that level takes a huge commitment."

He said he's hoping one day to come back for a polar bear hunt, when, and if, it becomes legal to import the animal into his country.