DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) -- These days, Decatur native Dante Ridgeway lends counseling and life advice to Native American students of the Desert Visions Youth Wellness Center outside of Phoenix, Arizona.

Those students know him as Mr. Ridgeway, but what they might not know is the full extent of success Mr. Ridgeway had in his former career as well.

As in 2004 Biletnikoff Award Finalist (Top 3 receiver in nation). Or national leader in catches per game and receiving yardage (1,399) as a junior at Ball State. Or teammate of Hall of Fame-caliber players like Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt, Drew Brees, Chad Johnson/Ochocinco and Curtis Martin, just to name a few.

In this special extra-length interview with WAND's Gordon Voit, Ridgeway shares his memories of playing with a cast of fan favorites, characters and memorable coaches like Sean Payton and Herm Edwards.