A couple hours after he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week, which came six days after he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman was brought to tears.

The Greenwood, S.C. native was asked about a time in his life when wasn't playing football and living with one of his brothers. Jack Flagler of the Gaston Gazette is the reporter working who's been working on the story, so it's only right to let him tell it:

Who is Josh Norman? Panthers corner, NFC Defensive Player of the Month took winding road to the NFL

And here's a look at what the journey from unknown to rising NFL star has meant to Norman: