Steven Hauschka

Steven Hauschka (born June 29, 1985) 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 varsity soccer team and the varsity lacrosse team. He didn't play football for Rockets, (Needham High School's mascot), even though he would eventually become a successful NFL kicker, playing seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. He graduated from Needham High School in 2002, and went to Middlebury College with intent to play division III soccer for the Panthers.

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 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.

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 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 over the AFC championship runner-ups.

In the wildcard round against the Washington Redskins, Hauschka strained his calf, and was placed on injured reserve.