For the first six games of the season rookie receiver Martavis Bryant stood on the sidelines, watching games in sweats, inactive and just waiting for his turn to get on the field.
Take a look at the best photos from this season's Rookie of the Year, Martavis Bryant.
Then something changed. Something clicked. Against Houston Bryant saw his first action of the season and responded with two receptions, one of them a 35-yard touchdown. And it just got better from there. So good, that Bryant was selected as the "Joe Greene Great Performance Award" winner by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, given annually to the team's outstanding rookie.
"What kept me positive was my life," said Bryant. "I have always gone through things and overcome it. I just figured it was another thing I had to overcome. I just stayed focused and continued to work. Once I got my chance I just made sure I wouldn't give it back."
Bryant, the Steelers fourth-round draft pick, has 25 receptions for 528 yards and seven touchdowns this season, playing in just nine games, with two starts. He has been a deep threat for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, with a touchdown reception of 80 yards and one for 94 yards.
Bryant's best game was against the New York Jets when he had four receptions for 143 yards and the 80-yard touchdown. He had two games with multiple touchdowns, scoring twice against Indianapolis and Baltimore at Heinz Field.
"I am going to just go out and play hard for the team and give great effort," said Bryant. "If I do that great things will happen."
