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Steven Hauschka Steven Hauschka is an American football placekicker
for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. 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. Hauschka has also been a member of the Baltimore
Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Locomotives, and Denver Broncos.
Early life Steven Hauschka grew up in Needham, Massachusetts
where he played on the Needham High School Rockets varsity soccer team and the varsity
lacrosse team. He didn't play football for the Rockets even though he would eventually
become a successful NFL kicker, playing seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos
and Seattle Seahawks. He graduated in 2003, and went to Middlebury College with intent
to play division III soccer for the Panthers. College career
Middlebury College Hauschka graduated from Middlebury College
in Vermont with a B.A. in Neuroscience in 2007. In 2003, he was cut from the men's varsity
soccer team and finished the season on junior varsity. Prior to his sophomore soccer season,
Hauschka was urged by a friend to try out for the football team. 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 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors Association)
during his senior year. Hauschka was also a member of the Middlebury College lacrosse
team. NC State
After graduating with honors from Middlebury College, Hauschka enrolled as a graduate student
at North Carolina State. 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 had a great season, going a perfect 25 for 25
on extra points and 16 for 18 on field goals, which included a game-winning boot in a road
game versus the Miami Hurricanes. Hauschka was signed by the Minnesota Vikings the following
year. Professional career
Minnesota Vikings Hauschka was signed by the Minnesota Vikings
in 2008 to share kicking duties with Ryan Longwell in the preseason.
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 offseason, 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. Hauschka tried out for the Atlanta Falcons
on November 24, 2009, 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 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 the Lions starter
Jason Hanson 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 league record with three
field goals in one game. Denver Broncos
On December 12, 2010, the Denver Broncos signed Hauschka after a season-ending groin injury
to Matt Prater. He was waived on September 3, 2011.
Seattle Seahawks Hauschka was claimed off waivers by the Seattle
Seahawks on September 4, 2011. In a week 10 matchup against the Baltimore
Ravens, Hauschka tied the Seahawks record for most field goals in a game, by scoring
5 of them, leading Seattle to a 22-17 upset. In the wildcard 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.