From the moment he nailed a 58-yard field goal in high school, I knew this guy was going places.

Shaun Suisham, a 23-year-old native of Wallaceburg Ontario (approximately an hour and a half south of London and my hometown) has been signed by the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).

Suisham has already left a mark in the league with a perfect NFL debut, going 2/2 in field goals, a long of 21 yards, and 4/4 in extra points against the Arizona Cardinals on October 30th.

People may wonder, how could a Canadian kid, from a town of twelve thousand people be the starting kicker for “America's Team” the Dallas Cowboys? Well, I'll tell you how.

It started back in 1999, when the Wallaceburg Tartan football team crawled their way into the playoffs of the Kent County Football League. During the semi-final contest, Suisham lined up for a 57-yard field goal attempt, hoping to give our team better field position as Suisham could kick farther then he could punt. Miraculously the kick was good.

All the critics said that the kick was a fluke, and that the kick was aided by the wind, but my teammates and myself knew this wasn't the case. I used to catch Suisham's kicks at the end of practice and he would regularly hit field goals of 50 yards or more.

Suisham silenced any doubters the following week in the championship game, when he kicked a 58-yard field goal to lead the Wallaceburg Tartans to a 6-5 victory in the championship contest.

The buzz of the kicks got the attention of several division one National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) schools, and subsequently Suisham received a full-ride scholarship to kick for Bowling Green University in Ohio.

Suisham had a stellar collegiate career setting a Bowling Green record by scoring 361 points, setting the record for most field goals in Bowling Green history with 45, was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award for the top kicker in the NCAA, and also set the NCAA record for career extra points made with 226.

Although Suisham was passed over in the NFL Draft, The Pittsburgh Steelers signed him shortly after, and invited the kicker to tryout. Despite a solid showing with the Steelers, Suisham was released after Pittsburgh signed their starting kicker Jeff Reed to a long-term contract.

Shortly after Suisham's release from the Steelers, the Cowboys signed him to the practice squad. After Dallas' former starting kicker Jose Cortex proved to be inconsistent and erratic, Suisham was signed to a rookie contract - $230,000 this season and $310,000 next season - and was placed on the active roster.

That brings us to today. Suisham already has one game under his belt, and after a bye week next week, Suisham and the Dallas Cowboys will prepare for the Philadelphia Eagles on November 14.

Yes, that is Monday Night Football, and I can't wait to hear how John Madden pronounces Suisham's name (Sweez-am).
After watching Suisham work his way through college, and ultimately watch his NFL debut with the Cowboys, I feel a tremendous sense of pride.

Seeing a former team-mate, a fellow small-town kid, and an athlete that I have the utmost respect for perform on the highest level in professional sports, is not only exciting but refreshing knowing that anyone can make it big, and that through hard-work and determination anyone can achieve their dreams.