Geoffrey Stephen Christie (born November 13, 1967)
is a Canadian former professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
placekicker
In gridiron football, the placekicker (PK), or simply kicker (K), is the player responsible for attempts at scoring Field goal (football), field goals and extra points. In most cases, the placekicker also serves as the team's kickoff specialist ...
in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
(NFL), who, as a member of the
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East div ...
, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.
Early life and college
Christie grew up in
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town and List of municipalities in Ontario#Lower-tier municipalities, lower-tier municipality in Regional Municipality of Halton, Halton Region, Ontario, Canada. Generally seen as a commuter suburb of Toronto, it is located on Lake ...
, and graduated from
The College of William and Mary
''The'' is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the ...
.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Christie made his NFL debut with the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...
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 for the Buccaneers.
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
comeback win against the
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston, Texas, from its founding in 1960 Houston Oilers season, 1960 to 1996 Houston Oilers season, 1996. The Houston Oilers began play as a charter member of the Ame ...
, in which Buffalo rallied from a 32-point deficit to complete the largest postseason comeback victory in NFL history. 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
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame for professional football (gridiron), professional American football, located in Canton, Ohio. Opened on September 7, 1963, the Hall of Fame enshrines exceptional figures in the sport of profes ...
in
Canton. He then went on to kick five field goals in the Bills 29–10 win over the
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...
in the AFC championship game, helping Buffalo get to their third consecutive
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the annual History of the NFL championship, league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States. It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966 NFL season, 1966 (with the excep ...
.
In 1993, Christie set a Bills record by kicking a 59-yard field goal in a regular-season game. It was just four yards short of the all-time NFL record. The record was broken by
Tyler Bass with a 61-yard field goal in
2024
The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...
. In
Super Bowl XXVIII, Christie set the record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history at 54 yards until it was eventually broken by
Harrison Butker in
Super Bowl LVIII
Super Bowl LVIII was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2023 NFL season, 2023 season. A rematch of Super Bowl LIV four years prior, the American Football Conference (AFC) 20 ...
.
In the 2000 season, Christie was an instrumental part of the Bills' eight victories. In week 1 vs. the
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. They play the ...
, Christie went 3 for 4 on field-goal attempts (41, 42, & 33 yards). The 33-yard field goal came with just :35 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
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
, 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
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...
, 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
The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...
, 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.
Before the 2001 regular season, Christie was placed on IR from an offseason groin injury having accuracy problems during the preseason being replaced by
Jake Arians prior to the start of the season. Christie eventually got cut on October 4.
Christie has nine field goals in overtime to his credit, an NFL record he shares with
Jason Elam and
Jim Breech
James Thomas Breech (born April 11, 1956) is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Oakland Raiders in 1979, and for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1980 to 1992. Breech played college footb ...
.
San Diego Chargers
From 2001 to 2003 he played for the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
, who, with the hire of former Bills GM John Butler, acquired several former Buffalo players.
In 2001, Butler signed Christie on November 28, to replace
Wade Richey who was demoted to kickoffs after struggling on field goals.
Jacksonville Jaguars
In 2004, Christie was signed by the
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team ...
to put some pressure on struggling rookie
Josh Scobee.
New York Giants
Christie requested his release from Jacksonville after a week in camp hoping to retire, but signed with the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
a day later, playing what would be his final NFL season.
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.
Toronto Argonauts
On July 2, 2007, Christie joined the
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts (officially the Toronto Argonaut Football Club and colloquially known as the Argos) are a professional Canadian football team based in Toronto, Ontario. The Argonauts compete in the East Division (CFL), East Division of t ...
of the
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League (CFL; , LCF) is a Professional gridiron football, professional Canadian football league in Canada. It comprises nine teams divided into two divisions, with four teams in the East Division (CFL), East Division and f ...
by signing a practice roster agreement with the team. On the signing, Christie pointed out that one 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. The other reason was that as a Canadian citizen, playing one game in the CFL, would be great way to finish his career. Christie was activated to play on July 7, 2007, against the
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a professional Canadian football team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They are currently members of the East Division (CFL), East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Tiger-Cats play their home game ...
.
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
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Manatee County, Florida, Manatee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city's population is 55,698, up from 49,546 at the 2010 census. It is a pri ...
, with his wife Kelly and their daughter Clare.
Career regular season statistics
''Career high/best bolded''
After football
Christie also served as an analyst for
The Score Television Network. He also did color commentary for the
University at Buffalo
The State University of New York at Buffalo (commonly referred to as UB, University at Buffalo, and sometimes SUNY Buffalo) is a public university, public research university in Buffalo, New York, Buffalo and Amherst, New York, United States. ...
Bulls football team on
WECK radio.
Steve studied fine Arts at the College of William & Mary and continues to show his Artwork and is commissioned for private pieces. Steve also enjoys live music and helps supports the Annual Borderland Music Festival at Knox Farms in East Aurora NY. He has supported many charities like Camp Good Days and Special Times in WNY Region and Team in Training for Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Christie is currently President of Relative Goal Sports and Entertainment Management LLC., In 2015 Christie was named executive director of Sports at Mastermind Lounge, LLC. He is also a Sales Associate with LPT Realty LLC, Florida, working with his wife, Realtor Kelly Christie as "Team Christie". He also performs in a series of Buffalo-area commercials for Lake Effect Furniture.
Steve also is hired for public appearances and speaking engagements.
In 2014, Christie was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. After chemotherapy and radiation treatments in Buffalo, he underwent two successful surgeries at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
References
External links
Toronto Argonauts profileESPN.com profileQ & A with Steve Christie
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christie, Steve
1967 births
Living people
American football placekickers
Canadian expatriate American football people in the United States
Canadian football placekickers
Players of Canadian football from Ontario
Canadian television sportscasters
Sportspeople from Hamilton, Ontario
Sportspeople from Oakville, Ontario
Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Buffalo Bills players
San Diego Chargers players
Jacksonville Jaguars players
New York Giants players
Toronto Argonauts players
William & Mary Tribe football players
Players of American football from Ontario