Growing up in the Fifth Ward of Houston, William Jackson was frequently told that his dreams were a futile pursuit.
Instead of getting annoyed by all of the negativity, Jackson became even more determined to succeed at football.
Although it hasn't always been the smoothest path for Jackson to travel, including a stint at Trinity Valley Junior College due to academic problems and a pectoral injury that cost him his entire NFL rookie season, ultimately, nothing has stopped the former University of Houston standout.
Jackson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round last year and is signed to a four-year, $9.