Shaun Suisham issues statement, hints at retirement
Following his release from the Steelers on Friday, kicker Shaun Suisham, who suffered a major knee injury in the Hall of Fame Game last August, issued a statement that all but says he will retire from the NFL.
Below is Suisham’s statement, courtesy of Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review:
“Unfortunately, the injury I sustained in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game last preseason was catastrophic and has proven to be critical to continuing my career. My journey in the NFL has come to a crossroads.
“I was raised in Wallaceburg, Ontario, as a hockey player and have been on an improbable 16-year journey as a kicker, competing at the highest level. The absolute nature of my position has given me the opportunity to test my resolve, and I have grown both professionally and as a man.
“Undoubtedly, I will miss the challenge of game day and the preparation that is required. Change is hard, but I’m comfortable with where I am in life as a husband and father.”
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It’s interesting to note that Suisham never actually said he has retired. It could be a technical reason due to the Steelers cap situation, or it could be that he hasn’t ruled out playing again.
Obviously, given words such as “catastrophic,” it doesn’t appear that Suisham will be able to fully heal from his injury for the foreseeable future. Perhaps he doesn’t want to put himself through the rigorous rehab required to get his knee back to 100 percent.
Although, it does make you wonder about the extent of the injury, and if anyone really knew just how bad the damage was.
Shortly after the Hall of Fame Game, Ed Bouchette, the Steelers beat reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, wrote that several players blamed the poor field conditions at Fawcett Stadium for Suisham’s injury.
If that was the case, what an unfortunate way for a very effective career as an NFL kicker to come to a premature demise.
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