PUNTING sensation Brad Wing's ascent to the NFL ranks has been driven by his shortcomings.

After overcoming rejection and his own demons, Wing, 22, received a lifeline earlier this month when he was snapped up by NFL powerhouse the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I never thought I'd be successful," Wing told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"But it all comes down to how bad you really want something. I knew that if I wanted to get to the NFL, I would have to work at my craft every day. I adopted this mentality that I wanted to be the best. I was so ­obsessed with being the best punter that that's all I thought about."

Wing was snubbed at last year's NFL draft due to off-field indiscretions at top-ranked college Louisiana State University, despite being considered one of the brightest punting prospects.

He was arrested for battery in 2011 and was suspended before LSU's final game in 2012 for breaching team rules.

But the Philadelphia ­Eagles took a punt on him after ­record-breaking seasons at Parkville Baptist High School and LSU, signing the left-footer as a free agent.

During the team's pre-season training camp, the NFL convert failed a basic fitness test, which barred him from training with the main group.

Wing was later dumped after losing the prized punting position in a two-man tussle with 10-year veteran Donnie Jones.

Married with a newborn child, Wing again found himself in football's wilderness. He was invited to train with 10 clubs, including AFL great Sav Rocca's Washington Redskins, until the Steelers offered Wing a contract after a trial in snowy -2C conditions.

The little-known Narre Warren North local achieved international fame when he faked a punt and ran 52 yards for a touchdown against arch rival Florida Gators in front of 93,000 ­fanatical Tigers fans at Baton Rouge. But officials nullified the touchdown after Wing spread both arms out before crossing the end zone.

He was the first player penalised under a new ­college rule banning unsportsmanlike conduct such as showboating and on-field taunting. The footage went viral and made Wing a household name.

"It was definitely the ­moment where everything changed," he said. "It wasn't until I looked up at the field and saw all of the Florida players running the other way that I just took off."

The AFL aspirant says being cut from under-18 representative side Sandringham Dragons in 2009 inspired him to pursue a punting career.

Wing, who admitted to being lazy, trained vigorously with his dad, David, a former professional punter for the Scottish Claymores in the defunct NFL Europe competition.

"I always knew I wanted to play AFL but I never really understood the hard work it took to get there," he said.

"I remember the day when I put all the Sherrin footies away and took out all the NFL American footballs. It was the ­moment I never looked back."

AUSSIES IN THE NFL

Brad Wing, Pittsburg Steelers

Sav Rocca, Washington Redskins

Mat McBriar, Pittsburg Steelers

Jesse Williams, Seattle Seahawks