Stephen Hauschka grew up in Needham, Massachusetts, where he played on the Needham High School Rockets varsity soccer team, and the varsity lacrosse team. He also played trombone in the NHS concert band and NHS jazz band.[1] He did not play football for the Rockets. He graduated in 2003 and went to Middlebury College with intent to play Division III soccer for the Panthers.
College career
Middlebury College
In 2003, Hauschka was cut from the Middlebury Panthers men's varsity soccer team and finished the season on junior varsity. Prior to his sophomore soccer season, Hauschka was urged by his friend, Scott Secor, to try out for the football team, where he edged out freshman recruit Jacob Lister for the starting kicker role.[2] In his three seasons with the Panthers, he was a two-time All-NESCAC selection as both a kicker and punter. He owns the school's single-season record for field goals. He was named a District I Academic All-American by College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) during his senior year. He was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award for the top college football placekicker. Hauschka was also a member of the Middlebury College lacrosse team. Hauschka graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in neuroscience in 2007.[citation needed]
North Carolina State
After graduating with honors from Middlebury College, Hauschka decided to forgo an acceptance to dental school and enrolled as a graduate student at North Carolina State in 2007. Since Hauschka was cut from the Middlebury College men's varsity soccer team during his freshman season, he retained one year of eligibility and won the kicking job for the Wolfpack. He then went 25-for-25 on extra points and 16-for-18 on field goals, which included a game-winning kick versus the Miami Hurricanes.[citation needed]
At North Carolina State, his first name was misspelled as "Steven," a spelling which he continued to use into his professional career.[3]
Professional career
Minnesota Vikings
Hauschka was signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 to share kicking duties with Ryan Longwell in the preseason. He would later be released by the team.[4]
Baltimore Ravens
Hauschka was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens after being released by the Vikings. He was signed to the Ravens' practice squad on September 15, 2008. He was activated on October 30 to handle the long-range field goals and kickoffs, sharing kicking duties with longtime Ravens kicker Matt Stover. His first professional field goal attempt came on November 9, 2008, against the Houston Texans, where he successfully hit a 54-yard field goal.
An exclusive-rights free agent in the 2009 off-season, Hauschka was re-signed on March 17 as the Ravens chose not to re-sign Stover. On November 17, 2009, the Ravens released Hauschka, after he missed his fourth attempt of the season (he converted 9 of 13 field goals (69.2%) in 2009) and had an extra point blocked.[5]
After his release from the Ravens, Hauschka tried out for the Atlanta Falcons on November 24, 2009,[6] and for the Dallas Cowboys on December 21.
Atlanta Falcons
Hauschka was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on December 29, 2009, after an injury to placekickerMatt Bryant.[7] He was waived by the team on August 15, 2010.[8]
Detroit Lions
Hauschka was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on August 18, 2010.[9] He played two preseason games for the Lions due to Lions' starter Jason Hanson's leg surgery. He was waived by the Lions on September 4, 2010.[10]
Las Vegas Locomotives
Hauschka was signed by the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives on October 4, 2010.[11] On October 8, Hauschka tied the UFL record with three field goals in a single game.
Denver Broncos
Hauschka during his tenure with the Denver Broncos
On December 12, 2010, the Denver Broncos signed Hauschka after a season-ending groin injury to Matt Prater.[12] He was waived by the team on September 3, 2011.[13]
Seattle Seahawks
Hauschka in the 2012 preseason as a member of the Seattle Seahawks
Hauschka was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks on September 4, 2011.[14]
In a Week 10 match-up against the Baltimore Ravens, Hauschka tied the Seahawks' record for most field goals in a game, by scoring five of them, leading Seattle to a 22–17 upset.[15]
In the wild-card round against the Washington Redskins, Hauschka strained his calf, and was placed on injured reserve.[16] On April 18, 2013, the Seahawks re-signed Hauschka.[17]
In Week 4 of the 2013 season, Hauschka kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Seahawks a come-from-behind overtime victory against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. The final score was 23–20, after trailing the Texans, 20–3, in the first half. Thanks to Hauschka's game-winning kick, the Seahawks went 4–0 for the first time in franchise history. The Seahawks finished 13–3 and reached Super Bowl XLVIII, where they defeated the Denver Broncos, 43–8.[18][19]
On March 17, 2014, the Seahawks re-signed Hauschka to a three-year contract worth $9.15million, of which $3.35million was guaranteed.[20] He began the 2015 season by hitting his first 16 field-goal attempts, including four from 50 yards or more.[21]
On March 9, 2017, Hauschka signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[23][24] Competing against rookie Austin Rehkow for a roster spot, Hauschka won the competition on August 20.[25] His kicking style, involving low line-drive kicks (which was one of the reasons the Seahawks, who preferred someone with a higher kick trajectory, did not re-sign him), was considered one of his strengths for Buffalo, as the greater power of a line-drive kick can counteract windy conditions.[26]
On September 10, 2017, in the season-opening 21–12 victory over the New York Jets, Hauschka made his debut as a Bill. He converted three extra points in the win.[27] In Week 3, Hauschka went 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 55-yarder, and converted all extra-point attempts, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[28] The following week, he was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals including a tie-breaking 56-yarder in a 23–17 win over the Falcons, earning him his second straight AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[29]
Hauschka broke the NFL record for most consecutive field goals made from 50 yards or beyond after he made a 50-yard field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers on November 19, 2017.[30][31]
In Week 10 of the 2018 season, Hauschka made all seven of his kicks, five extra points and two field goals, including a season-long 54-yarder, in a 41–10 win over the New York Jets, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.[32] During the rematch against the Jets in week 14, Hauschka was hit in the back by Jets defensive end Henry Anderson following a blocked field goal attempt, suffering an injured hip on the play.[33]
On August 28, 2019, Hauschka signed a two-year, $8million contract extension with the Bills.[34] He finished the 2019 season converting 30 of 32 extra point attempts and 22 of 28 field goal attempts.
On August 27, 2020, Hauschka was released by the Bills after the team selected Tyler Bass in the 2020 draft.[35]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On September 28, 2020, Hauschka was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[36] In his first game with the team, he missed both of his field goal attempts, from 24 yards and 49 yards, and was subsequently released on October 12.[37] Hauschka announced his retirement from football on December 4, 2020.[38]
Hauschka married fellow Middlebury alumna Lindsey Jones in June 2011 shortly after her graduation from Boston College Law School.[39]
Related Research Articles
Thomas James Feely is an American sportscaster and former professional football player. He started his playing career as a placekicker with the Florida Bobcats in the Arena Football League (AFL) as a free agent in 1999 before playing for several National Football League (NFL) teams. Since his retirement, Feely has worked as a reporter and analyst for CBS/Turner Sports.
Michael Shayne Graham is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He made his professional debut in May 2000 with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League's now-defunct developmental league, AF2.
Rian David Lindell is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Washington State.
William Ambrose Cundiff is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Drake University, and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2002.
Mason Walker Crosby is an American professional football placekicker who is a free agent. He played college football at Colorado, and earned unanimous All-American honors. The Green Bay Packers selected him in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.
Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. A member of the New England Patriots for most of his career, he is the franchise's all-time leading scorer. Gostkowski played college football for the Memphis Tigers and was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Patriots, where he spent his first 14 seasons. In his final season, he played for the Tennessee Titans.
Matthew Phillip Prater is an American professional football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal from 2013 until 2021 and holds the NFL record for most 50+ yard field goals in a career, 81 as of 2024.
Brandon Coutu is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008 after playing college football for the University of Montana. He also played for the Buffalo Bills.
Graham Clark Gano is a Scottish–American professional football placekicker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Gano has also played for the Las Vegas Locomotives in the United Football League (UFL), the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Panthers. During his time with the Panthers, he achieved the franchise's record for longest field goal at 63 yards in 2018.
Gregory ZuerleinZUR-lyne, is an American professional football placekicker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, he played college football at Nebraska-Omaha and Missouri Western. He previously played for the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.
Blair Richard Walsh is an American former professional football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. Walsh played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Justin Paul Tucker is an American professional football placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Often regarded as one of the greatest placekickers of all time, Tucker holds the NFL record for longest field goal at 66 yards and career field goal percentage at 89.0%. He has also been named to seven Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pros, and was a member of the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII.
The 2013 season was the Seattle Seahawks' 38th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Pete Carroll. With the Seahawks tenth win in the eleventh week of the season, the team secured double-digit victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Their 13–3 regular season record is tied with the 2005 season for the best in franchise history. Seattle's defense in 2013 is regarded by many to be one of the best in NFL history.
Christopher Lynn Boswell is an American professional football placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rice and was signed by the Houston Texans in 2014 as an undrafted free agent and has also spent time with the New York Giants. He is currently the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history on field goal attempts of 50 yards or more.
The 2016 season was the New England Patriots' 47th in the National Football League (NFL), their 57th overall and their 17th under head coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots ended the regular season with a league-best record of 14–2 and reached a number of milestones along the way: they became the first team originating in the American Football League to reach 500 franchise wins, set the record for most consecutive division titles at eight, became the seventh team to go 8–0 on the road, set the record for most pass attempts by a team without an interception to start a season, set the record for fewest interceptions thrown by a team with just 2, and led the league for fewest points allowed (250) for the first time since the 2003 season. Belichick moved into fourth place on the list for most wins as a head coach. Brady set the record for most wins by a starting quarterback and the record for the best touchdown–interception ratio in a single season.
William Lutz is an American professional football placekicker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia State Panthers.
The 2017 season was the Buffalo Bills' 58th overall, 48th in the National Football League (NFL) and third full season under the ownership of Terry and Kim Pegula. The season was the first under the leadership of general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott. On December 31, 2017, the final week of the regular season, the Bills finally ended their 18-year playoff drought with the Bills winning 22–16 over the Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals upsetting the Baltimore Ravens 31–27.
Tyler Royce Bass is an American professional football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Southern and was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Cameron Dicker, nicknamed "Dicker the Kicker," is an American professional football placekicker and punter for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. Prior to playing in the NFL he was an All-Big 12 kicker and punter for the Texas Longhorns in college football. He is the first NFL player born in Hong Kong.
↑ Hensley, Jamison (November 24, 2009). "Hauschka tries out for Falcons". Baltimore Sun Ravens Insider Blog. Archived from the original on August 14, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
