The Golden Leg
An academic chronicle of Stephen Hauschka's impactful career as a professional American football placekicker.
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Early Life and Education
Collegiate Aspirations
Stephen Hauschka's formative years were spent in Needham, Massachusetts. Initially, his athletic pursuits focused on soccer, where he played for the Needham High School Rockets. He also participated in basketball and lacrosse, and contributed musically as a trombonist in the school's concert and jazz bands. Upon graduating in 2003, Hauschka enrolled at Middlebury College with the intention of pursuing collegiate soccer.
Transition to Football
During his freshman year at Middlebury, Hauschka was not selected for the varsity soccer team, playing instead on the junior varsity squad. Encouraged by a peer, he auditioned for the football team prior to his sophomore season. He successfully secured the starting placekicker position. Over his three seasons with the Middlebury Panthers, he earned recognition as a two-time All-NESCAC selection, excelling as both a kicker and punter. He also holds the school's single-season record for field goals made and was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award, recognizing the nation's top collegiate kicker. Academically, he majored in neuroscience, graduating with honors in 2007.
Graduate Studies and Eligibility
Following his undergraduate studies, Hauschka made a significant decision to defer dental school admission and instead enrolled at North Carolina State University as a graduate student in 2007. This move allowed him to leverage his remaining year of athletic eligibility. He quickly established himself as the starting kicker for the NC State Wolfpack, demonstrating exceptional performance by converting all 25 of his extra-point attempts and 16 of 18 field goals. Notably, he made a game-winning kick against the Miami Hurricanes. It is worth noting that during this period, his first name was occasionally misspelled as "Steven," a variation he carried into his early professional career.
Collegiate Performance
Middlebury Panthers
Hauschka's time at Middlebury College (2004-2006) saw him transition from soccer to football. He became a standout kicker and punter, earning two All-NESCAC selections. His academic achievements were also notable, culminating in his recognition as a District I Academic All-American. He was also a finalist for the prestigious Lou Groza Award.
NC State Wolfpack
In his single season with NC State (2007), Hauschka showcased remarkable accuracy, going 16-for-18 on field goals and a perfect 25-for-25 on extra points. His clutch performance included a crucial game-winning field goal against the Miami Hurricanes, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure.
Professional Trajectory
Early Career and Transitions
Hauschka entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008, initially signed by the Minnesota Vikings. He later joined the Baltimore Ravens, where he shared kicking duties and achieved his first professional field goal from 54 yards. After a stint with the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions, he played for the Las Vegas Locomotives in the UFL, tying a league record for field goals in a single game. He then signed with the Denver Broncos before finding a more stable footing.
Seattle Seahawks Stint
Hauschka's tenure with the Seattle Seahawks (2011-2016) marked a significant period of success. He tied franchise records for field goals in a game and was instrumental in the team's victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. During his time in Seattle, he demonstrated consistent performance, including a streak of four consecutive seasons with over 83% field goal accuracy and multiple 50-yard plus field goals. He was also named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2016.
Buffalo Bills and Record-Setting
Joining the Buffalo Bills in 2017, Hauschka continued to exhibit precision kicking. He set an NFL record for consecutive field goals made from 50 yards or further (13). His performance in the 2017 season earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice. He signed a contract extension with the Bills in 2019 but was released in 2020.
Final Season and Retirement
Hauschka's final NFL season was brief, with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, where he was released after missing both his field goal attempts. He announced his retirement from professional football in December 2020, concluding a career marked by consistency and notable achievements.
Statistical Performance
Career Field Goals and Extra Points
Hauschka's NFL career statistics reflect a highly accurate and reliable kicker. Over 166 games played, he successfully converted 264 field goals out of 310 attempts, achieving an 85.2% success rate. His longest field goal was 58 yards. He also demonstrated strong performance in extra points, making 357 out of 373 attempts (95.7%).
Distinguished Achievements
NFL Records
Hauschka holds a significant NFL record for consecutive field goals made from 50 yards or further, achieving an impressive streak of 13 successful kicks. This demonstrates exceptional range and consistency under pressure.
Seahawks Franchise Records
During his impactful tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, Hauschka established several franchise records. He holds the record for most field goals made in franchise history (175) and most field goals made in franchise playoff history (19). He also shares the record for most 50+ yard field goals in a single season (6) and maintains the highest career field goal percentage for the Seahawks at 88.8%. His consecutive games scoring streak (94) and consecutive games with a field goal streak (19) also highlight his reliability.
Bills Franchise Records
With the Buffalo Bills, Hauschka set a franchise record for most 50+ yard field goals in a single season in 2017, making seven such kicks. He also earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors multiple times during his tenure.
Personal Life
Family Life
Stephen Hauschka married Lindsey Jones, a fellow Middlebury College alumna, in June 2011. Ms. Jones had recently completed her law degree at Boston College Law School at the time of their marriage.
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Important Notice
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