Shaun Suisham has another title today, beyond “injured Steelers kicker.”
Now, he can call himself “American.”
The 34-year-old Suisham was sworn in as an American citizen yesterday as part of a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, in Wilkins, Pa.
“I have grown to love the United States of America; specifically, Pittsburgh,” Suisham said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “And it has become our home.
“I have been here for my entire adult life, and the United States has provided me and my family with wonderful opportunity. And I’m extremely grateful for that.”
Suisham was born and raised in Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada, but came to the U.S. in 2000 on scholarship to kick at Bowling Green. He then met his wife, and they have two daughters.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of ever being separated for any reason from my girls,” Suisham said, “and that was the catalyst for going through this.”
And because he’s a bit of a local celebrity, he gave a brief speech at the ceremony where 31 others became citizens.
“[The speech] was really a cool moment of reflection of the past 15 years and what it has meant to me,” Suisham said. “It is pretty cool to see it on paper, and it’s been an awesome journey. I’m looking forward to continuing it.”
He joked that he’s lost his Canadian accent, meaning he now merely sounds like a Pittsburgher.