Former Middlebury College kicker Steven Hauschka '07 has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks worth $9.15 million with $3.35 million guaranteed. Hauschka originally signed with Seattle in Sept. of 2011 after he was released by the Denver Broncos. He is now one of the top-10 highest-paid kickers in the NFL.
The 28-year-old Hauschka contributed a game-high 11 points to help lead his team to a 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014. He connected on a pair of field goals and was 5-5 on extra-point attempts.
In 2013, Hauschka made 33-35 field goals during the regular season, including a long of 53 yards, along with 44 PATs for 143 points. That point total was the fourth-highest mark in the NFL. In the playoffs, he was a perfect 8-8 in field goals and 9-9 on PATs for 33 points. He knocked through two game-winning field goals in overtime during the regular season. On September 29th against the Houston Texans, he booted a 45-yard attempt through the uprights followed a few weeks later with a 27-yard make on November 3rd against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Hauschka graduated from Middlebury with a B.A. in Neuroscience. Prior to his sophomore soccer season, Hauschka tried 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 where 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. He then finished out his eligibility by playing one year at North Carolina State University. In his one season with the Wolfpack, he earned the starting job and was a finalist for the Lou Groza award, given to the nation's top place-kicker.
Hauschka was originally signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2008. He has also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and the Denver Broncos. In 2010, he kicked for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League as he kicked three PATs helping the Locomotives win the league championship. On September 4th, 2011, Hauschka joined the Seahawks and has been a key part of the Seattle roster for the past three seasons.
During his career in the regular season, Hauschka has made 98-114 field goals with a long of 54 in 2008, and he has 161 extra points for 455 points. In addition to this season's 33 post-season points, Hauschka was 3-3 with a PAT for 10 points in 2012.