Stephen Hauschka

Stephen Theodore Hauschka (born June 29, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Middlebury College and North Carolina State.

Stephen Hauschka
refer to caption
Hauschka with the Seahawks in 2014
No. 3, 4, 6
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1985-06-29) June 29, 1985
Needham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Needham
(Needham, Massachusetts)
College:Middlebury, NC State
Undrafted:2008
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Field goals made:264
Field goals attempted:310
Field goal %:85.2
Longest field goal:58
Touchbacks:375
Player stats at NFL.com

Hauschka has been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Locomotives, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He won Super Bowl XLVIII as a member of the Seahawks.

Early life

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 and career records 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.

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.

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.

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.[4]

After his release from the Ravens, Hauschka tried out for the Atlanta Falcons on November 24, 2009,[5] 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 placekicker Matt Bryant. He was waived by the team on August 15, 2010.

Detroit Lions

Hauschka was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions on August 18, 2010. 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.

Las Vegas Locomotives

Hauschka was signed by the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives on October 4, 2010. 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. He was waived by the team on September 3, 2011.

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.

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.

In the wild-card round against the Washington Redskins, Hauschka strained his calf, and was placed on injured reserve. On April 18, 2013, the Seahawks re-signed Hauschka.

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.

On March 17, 2014, the Seahawks re-signed Hauschka to a three-year contract worth $9.15 million, of which $3.35 million was guaranteed.[6] He began the 2015 season by hitting his first 16 field-goal attempts, including four from 50 yards or more.[7]

Hauschka was named an alternate for the 2016 Pro Bowl.[8]

Buffalo Bills

On March 9, 2017, Hauschka signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[9][10] Competing against rookie Austin Rehkow for a roster spot, Hauschka won the competition on August 20.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[18]

On August 28, 2019, Hauschka signed a two-year, $8 million contract extension with the Bills.[19]

On August 27, 2020, Hauschka was released by the Bills after the team selected Tyler Bass in the 2020 draft.[20]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On September 28, 2020, Hauschka was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.[21] 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.[22] Hauschka announced his retirement from football on December 4, 2020.[23]

NFL career statistics
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high
Year Team GP Field Goals Extra Points Total Points
FGMFGAFG%<2020−2930−3940−4950+LngXPMXPAXP%
2008BAL 81250.00−00−00−00−01−254000.03
2009BAL 991369.20−01−15−73−50−044272896.454
2010DEN 46785.70−09−93−32−30−0461010100.028
2011SEA 16253083.32−25−69−107−82−4523434100.0109
2012SEA 16242788.91−17−710−105−51−452464895.8118
2013SEA 16333594.30−010−119−911−123−3534444100.0143
2014SEA 16313783.80−010−1010−109−132−4584141100.0134
2015SEA 16293193.50−09−97−77−96−654404490.9127
2016SEA 16333789.20−011−1313−138−101−153293582.8128
2017BUF 16293387.90−06−69−97−97−9562929100.0116
2018BUF 16222878.60−03−38−87−104−754252696.191
2019BUF 16222878.60−05−57−89−101−551303293.796
2020JAX 1020.00−00−10−00−00−1022100.02
Total16626431085.23−368−7390−9475−9528−455835737395.71149

[24]

NFL records
  • Most consecutive field goals made from 50 yards or further: 13

Bills franchise records
  • Most 50+ yard field goals made in a season: 7, 2017

Seahawks franchise records
  • Most field goals made in franchise history: 175
  • Most 50+ yard field goals made: 15
  • Most 50+ yard field goals made in a season: 6, 2015 (tied with Jason Myers)
  • Most consecutive games scoring: 94
  • Most consecutive games with a field goal: 19
  • Most field goals made in a game: 5 (tied with Norm Johnson, Olindo Mare and Todd Peterson)
  • Highest field goal percentage in a career: 88.8
  • Most touchbacks in a career: 257

Personal life

Hauschka married fellow Middlebury alumnus Lindsey Jones in June 2011 shortly after her graduation from Boston College Law School.[25]

References
  1. Reiss, Jaclyn (January 23, 2014). "Needham native Steven Hauschka, once a soccer player, now Super Bowl contender". Retrieved February 11, 2017 – via The Boston Globe.
  2. "Middlebury – Cumulative Season Statistics". Middlebury.edu. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  3. Wulf, Steve (June 13, 2014). "Steven Hauschka's road to SB XLVIII". ESPN. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  4. "Ravens Release Hauschka". www.BaltimoreRavens.com. November 17, 2009.
  5. Hensley, Jamison (November 24, 2009). "Hauschka tries out for Falcons". Baltimore Sun Ravens Insider Blog. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  6. Breech, John (March 17, 2014). "Seahawks re-sign K Steven Hauschka to three-year deal". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  7. "Steven Hauschka – Seattle Seahawks – National Football League – Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo.com. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  8. Boyle, John (December 22, 2015). "Seven Seahawks Earn 2016 Pro Bowl Honors". Seahawks.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  9. Brown, Chris (March 9, 2017). "Bills agree to terms with five including S Hyde and K Hauschka". BuffaloBills.com.
  10. "Steven Hauschka Contract Details, Salary Cap Breakdowns, Salaries, Bonuses". Spotrac. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  11. Brown, Chris (August 20, 2017). "Bills sign TE Anderson, S McDonald". BuffaloBills.com.
  12. "Like the Bills, McCarthy and Feely exceed expectations, come up 'huge' with Buffalove".
  13. "New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  14. Lam, Quang M. (September 27, 2017). "Tom Brady, Kirk Cousins among Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  15. "Deshaun Watson, Todd Gurley among Players of Week". NFL.com. October 4, 2017.
  16. Warren, Matt (November 19, 2017). "Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka sets NFL record for consecutive 50-yard field goals". Buffalo Rumblings. SB Nation. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  17. Bergman, Jeremy (November 14, 2018). "Ben Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky among Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  18. Staff (December 16, 2018). "Jets' Henry Anderson fined $10K for hit on Bills' Stephen Hauschka". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  19. Gordon, Grant (August 28, 2019). "Stephen Hauschka inks 2-year extension with Bills". NFL.com.
  20. "Bills release kicker Stephen Hauschka and punter Lachlan Edwards". BuffaloBills.com. August 27, 2020.
  21. "Jaguars Make Roster Moves". Jaguars.com. September 28, 2020.
  22. Smith, Michael David (October 12, 2020). "Jaguars cut Stephen Hauschka, make Jon Brown their fifth kicker this year". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  23. Florio, Mike (December 4, 2020). "Stephen Hauschka retires at 35". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  24. "Stephen Hauschka Stats – ESPN". ESPN.com.
  25. "Lindsey Jones, Stephen Hauschka". New York Times. June 24, 2011. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
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