Steve Christie

Infobox NFLretired


|caption=
width=
position=Placekicker
number=2, 8
birthdate=birth date and age|1967|11|13
Hamilton, Ontario
deathdate=
debutyear=1990
finalyear=2007
college=William & Mary
undraftedyear=1990
teams=
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990-1991)
* Buffalo Bills (1992-2000)
* San Diego Chargers (2001-2003)
* New York Giants (2004)
* Toronto Argonauts (2007)
* Buffalo Bills (2008; one day contract}
stat1label=FG Att
stat1value=431
stat2label=FGM
stat2value=336
stat3label=Pct
stat3value=78.0
nfl=CHR498348
highlights=
* All-Pro selection (1990)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

Geoffrey Stephen Christie (born November 13, 1967 in Hamilton, Ontario)cite web| title =Blink Bits: Steve Christie| url=http://www.blinkbits.com/bits/viewforum/steve_christie_bio?f=7885| accessdate = 2007-01-26] was a Canadian-American football placekicker in the NFL, who, as a member of the Buffalo Bills, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.

Christie, who grew up in nearby Oakville, Ontario, 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.

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 comeback 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 field goal in overtime. 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.From 2001 to 2003 he played for the San Diego Chargers, 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. [cite web| title =Argos sign Steve Christie| url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/article.jsp?content=20070702_132153_5440| accessdate = 2007-07-15] 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 Ellicottville, New York.

Christie also serves as an analyst for The Score Television Network. He also does color commentary for the University at Buffalo Bulls football team on WECK radio.

References

External links

* [http://www.argonauts.ca/Argos/Team/Roster/Steve_Christie.html Toronto Argonauts profile]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=93 ESPN.com profile]
* [http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/233467 Q & A with Steve Christie]