Suisham Has Confidence Of The Steelers
Shaun Suisham of the Pittsburgh Steelers – Photo from Steelers.com
Early in the 2014-2015 NFL season, it’s obvious Wallaceburg’s Shaun Suisham has the confidence of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization behind him. Suisham paid back the Steelers for that confidence when he hit a 41-yard field goal with no time left in their NFL season opener, to beat the Cleveland Browns 30-27.
“To me when we get the ball in those situations I just ask what yard line do you want us to get to? Where is your limit? That is my goal line,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of knowing he has Suisham at the offenses disposal in a press conference following the Steelers win. “Obviously you want to score but if you don’t have the time you just want to get to that spot. When he lines up to kick it I was on the sideline thinking this is why we have him. It was never a doubt that he was going to nail it.”
And Suisham did nail the kick, his third field goal of the game following successful 36- and 34-yard field goals, along with three extra points.
“We finished that last drive that allowed Suisham to bang it through to help us get out of the game,” said wide receiver Antonio Brown of the offense’s role in pushing the ball into Suisham’s range.
After signing a 4-year contract extension in the summer, and being voted a team captain by his teammates, it appears Suisham has the confidence of the entire organization behind him. And so he should, as he’s become the most successful and consistent kicker in Steelers history.
Despite the show of support from his teammates, Suisham was still surprised by the honour of being voted a team captain.
“It’s something I didn’t anticipate,” the Wallaceburg District Secondary School alumni said in a Steelers news release. “There are a lot of different personalities in the locker room and I think we can all lead in different ways. Hopefully I can do that by the example of being a consistent player.”
If his 3-for-3 start, including a game winning field goal is any indication, Suisham will be that consistent example, and the confidence his team has in him, and that he has in himself, will continue to grow.
The Pittsburgh Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, September 11, in Baltimore.