When the call came in and it was the Steelers looking to sign him, there was no hesitation on kicker Shaun Suisham's part. Coming back to Pittsburgh was exactly what he wanted.
"It's a really neat place," said Suisham, who signed with the team after Jeff Reed was waived on Tuesday. "It's funny how the NFL works. I was presented with three opportunities to go to different teams because of injury. When Pittsburgh called it was a no-brainer to come here.
"It is a wonderful opportunity. I certainly wanted to come here. When you are on the outside looking in, you work out for teams and you hope they choose you. I couldn't have asked for anything better, to end up with the Steelers is what I wanted."
Suisham began his NFL journey as a rookie free agent with the Steelers in 2005 out of Bowling Green, spending training camp with the team before being waived prior to the start of the season.
"In 2005 I would have paid the Steelers to let me come here," said Suisham. "It was really a special opportunity. I wasn't sure if I was even going to get in to an NFL camp. The Pittsburgh Steelers did that for me. I had a lot of fun here and I was excited to get the phone call."
Suisham spent time off and on kicking for the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and 2006, before being signed to the Washington Redskins active roster on December 2, 2006. He was waived by the Redskins in December, 2009. Suisham has made 87 of 110 of his career field goal attempts (79.1 percent) and 101 of 103 extra points (98.1 percent).
"In my career I have bounced around," said Suisham. "It's year six now. I have adjusted to it. It's been our life bouncing around and adjusting to new teams. I feel great. I feel comfortable. I am really looking forward to it."
He hasn't played in a game yet this season after he was waived in training camp by the St. Louis Rams. He moved back to Ohio where his wife's family lives, spending time renovating his home. He also went through a tough time when his mother-in-law unexpectedly suffered a heart attack and died two weeks ago.
"It's funny how things work out for us to get to spend that extra time with her family," said Suisham. "I was thankful to not play then and get to spend time with family. Looking back at things I wouldn't have it any other way."
He also has been spending time working out, staying in shape and keeping his leg ready in case a team did call.
"To be back kicking in the NFL is great. To be back here with the Pittsburgh Steelers is great. I am really excited.
"I am here to kick field goals because the Steelers asked me to. I am going to do everything I possibly can to put myself in the best positive position and I hope I can help this team win games. "
