Steve Christie
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Stephen Christie (born November 13, 1967 in Hamilton, Ontario
) is a former Canadian
American football
placekicker
in the National Football League
, who, as a member of the Buffalo Bills
, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.
, graduated from The College of William and Mary and made his NFL debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
in 1990. He made all 27 extra point attempts and 23 of 27 field goal
tries in his rookie season. He would end up playing two years in Tampa.
win against the Houston Oilers
, which occurred after the Bills trailed 35-3 early in the third quarter in a playoff game after the 1992 season. Christie kicked a successful onside kick, which he recovered himself (becoming the first placekicker ever to do so in an NFL playoff game), and also kicked the game winning 32-yard field goal in overtime. His kicking shoe from that game is displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in Canton
. He then went on to kick five field goals in the Bills 29-10 win over the Miami Dolphins
in the AFC championship game, helping Buffalo get to their third consecutive Super Bowl
.
In 1993, Christie set a Bills record by kicking a 59-yard field goal in a regular season game. It was only four yards short of the all-time NFL record.
In Super Bowl XXVIII
, Christie set a Super Bowl record by kicking a 54-yard field goal. It is currently the longest field goal ever made in Super Bowl History.
In the 2000 season, Christie was an instrumental part of the Bills' eight victories. In week 1 vs. the Tennessee Titans
, Christie went 3 for 4 on field goal attempts (41, 42, & 33 yards). The 33-yard field goal came with just :35 seconds to play, giving the Bills a win over the Titans, who had knocked them out of the playoffs the year before. In week 7 vs. the San Diego Chargers
, Christie kicked a 29-yard field goal with just :11 seconds to play, forcing the game into overtime. Christie then nailed a 46-yard field goal in overtime, giving the Bills their third victory of the season. In week 9 vs. the New York Jets
, Christie went 3 for 4 on field goal attempts (20, 29, & 34 yards). The 34-yard field goal came with just :03 seconds to play, lifting the Bills to 4-4 on the season. In week 10 vs. the New England Patriots
, Christie kicked a 48-yard field goal in rainy conditions with just seconds to play, forcing the game into overtime. Christie then nailed a 32-yard field goal in overtime, sending the Bills to 5-4 on the season.
Christie has nine field goals in overtime to his credit, an NFL record he shares with Jason Elam
and former NFL placekicker Jim Breech
.
, who, with the hire of a former Bills GM, acquired several former Buffalo players.
When rookie Nate Kaeding
was acquired, Christie's services were no longer needed and he was released. Christie spent most of the 2004 NFL season with the New York Giants
.
In his 15 NFL seasons, Christie converted 336 of 431(77%) field goals and 468 of 473(98%) extra points, giving him a total of 1,476 points.
On July 2, 2007, Christie joined the Toronto Argonauts
of the Canadian Football League
by signing a practice roster agreement with the team. On the signing, Christie pointed out that his reason for joining the team was "basically doing Michael (Clemons)
a favour" as a former college teammate and that it was tentatively for one game. Christie was activated to play on July 7, 2007 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
where he went 2-4 on field goal attempts. Three days later, Christie was cut by the team.
On March 5, 2008 Christie retired from professional football. The Buffalo Bills officially signed Christie to a one day contract, thus to retire as a Buffalo Bill. He currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife Kelly and enjoys his home in Niagara-on-the Lake Canada several months a year.
team on WECK
radio.
Christie is currently working with Gil Scott Sports Management and is a certified CFL Agent.
(Buffalo Sports Hall Fame)
(Oakville, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame)
(Inductee to The College of William & Mary Sports Hall of Fame)
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
) is a former Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, who, as a member of the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.
Early career
Christie, who grew up in nearby Oakville, OntarioOakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
, graduated from The College of William and Mary and made his NFL debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
in 1990. He made all 27 extra point attempts and 23 of 27 field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
tries in his rookie season. He would end up playing two years in Tampa.
Buffalo Bills
From 1992 to 2000, Christie kicked for Buffalo. With the Bills, he would become one of the game's top kickers. He was a key contributor in the Bills comebackThe Comeback (American football)
The Comeback was a NFL playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers played January 3, 1993. It featured the Bills recovering from a 32-point deficit to win in overtime, and it remains the largest comeback in NFL history...
win against the Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
, which occurred after the Bills trailed 35-3 early in the third quarter in a playoff game after the 1992 season. Christie kicked a successful onside kick, which he recovered himself (becoming the first placekicker ever to do so in an NFL playoff game), and also kicked the game winning 32-yard field goal in overtime. His kicking shoe from that game is displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in Canton
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. He then went on to kick five field goals in the Bills 29-10 win over the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the AFC championship game, helping Buffalo get to their third consecutive Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
.
In 1993, Christie set a Bills record by kicking a 59-yard field goal in a regular season game. It was only four yards short of the all-time NFL record.
In Super Bowl XXVIII
Super Bowl XXVIII
Super Bowl XXVIII was an American football game played on January 30, 1994, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1993 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Dallas Cowboys defeated the American Football...
, Christie set a Super Bowl record by kicking a 54-yard field goal. It is currently the longest field goal ever made in Super Bowl History.
In the 2000 season, Christie was an instrumental part of the Bills' eight victories. In week 1 vs. the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
, Christie went 3 for 4 on field goal attempts (41, 42, & 33 yards). The 33-yard field goal came with just :35 seconds to play, giving the Bills a win over the Titans, who had knocked them out of the playoffs the year before. In week 7 vs. the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Christie kicked a 29-yard field goal with just :11 seconds to play, forcing the game into overtime. Christie then nailed a 46-yard field goal in overtime, giving the Bills their third victory of the season. In week 9 vs. the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Christie went 3 for 4 on field goal attempts (20, 29, & 34 yards). The 34-yard field goal came with just :03 seconds to play, lifting the Bills to 4-4 on the season. In week 10 vs. the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, Christie kicked a 48-yard field goal in rainy conditions with just seconds to play, forcing the game into overtime. Christie then nailed a 32-yard field goal in overtime, sending the Bills to 5-4 on the season.
Christie has nine field goals in overtime to his credit, an NFL record he shares with Jason Elam
Jason Elam
Jason Elam is a retired American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
and former NFL placekicker Jim Breech
Jim Breech
James Thomas Breech is a former American football kicker in the National Football League, who played for Oakland Raiders in 1979 and Cincinnati Bengals from 1980-1992. Before his NFL career, Breech played for the University of California and Sacramento High School...
.
Later career
From 2001 to 2003 he played for the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who, with the hire of a former Bills GM, acquired several former Buffalo players.
When rookie Nate Kaeding
Nate Kaeding
Nathaniel James Kaeding is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football at Iowa...
was acquired, Christie's services were no longer needed and he was released. Christie spent most of the 2004 NFL season with the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
In his 15 NFL seasons, Christie converted 336 of 431(77%) field goals and 468 of 473(98%) extra points, giving him a total of 1,476 points.
On July 2, 2007, Christie joined the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
by signing a practice roster agreement with the team. On the signing, Christie pointed out that his reason for joining the team was "basically doing Michael (Clemons)
Pinball Clemons
Michael Lutrell "Pinball" Clemons, O.Ont is the current Vice-Chair for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Clemons also played with the Argos for twelve seasons, and twice served as their head coach. His No. 31 jersey is one of only four that has been retired by the Argos...
a favour" as a former college teammate and that it was tentatively for one game. Christie was activated to play on July 7, 2007 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
where he went 2-4 on field goal attempts. Three days later, Christie was cut by the team.
On March 5, 2008 Christie retired from professional football. The Buffalo Bills officially signed Christie to a one day contract, thus to retire as a Buffalo Bill. He currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife Kelly and enjoys his home in Niagara-on-the Lake Canada several months a year.
After football
Christie also served as an analyst for The Score Television Network. He also did color commentary for the University at Buffalo Bulls footballBuffalo Bulls football
The Buffalo Bulls football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University at Buffalo located in the U.S. state of New York. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo's first...
team on WECK
WECK
WECK is a radio station located in the Buffalo, New York, area. Founded in 1956 as WNIA, the station currently is owned by Culver Communications...
radio.
Christie is currently working with Gil Scott Sports Management and is a certified CFL Agent.
External links
(Buffalo Sports Hall Fame)
(Oakville, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame)
(Inductee to The College of William & Mary Sports Hall of Fame)