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Martavis Bryant's roller coaster life lead him to Pittsburgh

The Steelers' fourth round draft pick, Martavis Bryant, is expected to be a large part of the Steelers' future plans, but the road to the NFL wasn't an easy one for the former Clemson wide out.

Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

For some, the road to success is a breeze, but for people like Steelers' rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant, that road was a bumpy one.

The former Clemson wide receiver selected in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL draft has gone through many trials and tribulations that have made Bryant the man that he is today.

Growing up in a fatherless home and becoming a father at the age of 18 didn't deter Bryant from remaining a standout football player in high school that eventually lead to him becoming a star along side Sammy Watkins at Clemson University.

Even when everything seemed to be taken care of, Bryant struggled with maturity early in college, enough so that some experts say that was a reason he slid to the 4th round in the draft. Nonetheless, he finds himself in Pittsburgh and realizes all he has been through will only make him stronger.

"It was a lot of downs, a lot of ups, but more downs than ups," Bryant told Jourdon LaBarber of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"Just staying faithful and knowing that the man upstairs has the greater power to lead you to anything. I just had faith in God and never really gave up on myself."

Bryant's roller coaster life has him motivated and ready to suit up in the black and gold and make a difference in bringing the Steelers' their 7th Lombardi trophy. "I worked hard to get here," "I’m just working, trying to learn everything, trying to be the best possible pro I can be, for my kids and for my sake."

With his size and speed, Bryant could be a perfect compliment to the Steelers' passing attack and another weapon at Ben Roethlisberger's disposal. How much he contributes as a rookie will ultimately depend on how he grasps the new playbook, route tree and concepts that accompany NFL football.