Stevan Ridley was at a Subway in Mississippi. Now he's climbing the Broncos' depth chart

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — There aren’t many places to eat in Natchez, Mississippi, population 15,792.

So, on Thursday, then-free agent Stevan Ridley took his mom out to Subway and treated himself to “something healthy.” But this wasn’t a typical trip to the local sandwich shop; He had some news for his mom.

He sat her down for their quick lunch date and told her he was leaving the small town he grew up, but for the best possible reason – to have another opportunity to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, this time with the Denver Broncos. Much like he felt inside, the news made his mom “a little bit excited to say the least.”

Immediately after lunch — and 135 text messages from teachers, pastors and friends later — Ridley packed a bag, not knowing if he would be back later that night or at the end of a six-month football season. He hit the road for the three-hour drive to New Orleans, the closest airport that could get him to Denver that day.

Once he arrived in the “big” city, Ridley had an individual work out with director of player personnel Matt Russell, running back coach Eric Studesville, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and head coach Vance Joseph. After cutting, catching and carrying the football in front of the Broncos’ contingent, Ridley had his final test with the Broncos: an interview with the head coach.

Ridley passed, signed the dotted line and was on the field for the team’s afternoon walkthrough less than an hour after he completed his goal of getting another shot in the NFL.

“Things happened kind of fast,” he said. “I’m excited for the opportunity. I’m very thankful and fortunate they gave me a shot to come in and compete.”

That’s all history, and the 28-year old is now trying to create more history.

“I’m trying to get back to my old self,” Ridley said. “I’ve had ample amount of time to come back and recover. I’m fresh; I’m ready to do it. Just trying to find my groove, I’ve been out a little bit, so I had to get the ball in my hands and get rolling a little bit and try to find myself.”

Ridley himself isn’t foreign to success at the highest level. In 2012 and 2013, he combined for over 2,000 yards on the ground including 1,263 in 2012 with 12 touchdowns for the New England Patriots. In 2013, while Ridley’s production was still impressive, he was limited in Bill Belichick’s game plan after losing a fumble in three straight games.

In 2014, however, Ridley’s career took a dramatic turn for the worse, suffering a torn ACL and MCL, ending his season. To make things worse, another knee injury followed in 2015. Since moving on from the Patriots after 2014, Ridley has bounced from four different teams, compiling seven total yards with the Atlanta Falcons last year.

“I truly say I’m thankful for every opportunity that I get,” Ridley said. “Every day you really just have to capitalize and realize that we really do have the best job in the world, playing in the NFL. It’s a dream come true, and that’s why I’ll say multiple times that I’m very thankful to have another shot.”

Although 2016 was tough for Ridley on the business side, it allowed his body to fully recuperate, specifically his knee. Now, after four training camp practices without any limitations, Ridley has a golden opportunity to re-establish himself as a running back in the NFL.

With Devontae Booker out six weeks with a fractured bone in his hand, a hamstring injury that’s kept Bernard Pierce out of practice and Jamaal Charles slowly working back into things, Ridley has quickly found playing time while moving up the running back depth chart.

“Every step along the way I’ve just been trying to get to a place where I can get the opportunity to show that I’m back and I can do something and help contribute,” he said. “I’m just coming in here to work hard, noses in the dirt.”

Cornerback Chris Harris Jr., whose gone up against Ridley in live-action, pointed to Ridley’s vision and ability to catch the ball as what will make him a weapon with the Broncos. Despite being a free agent in late-July, Joseph called Ridley the “perfect” back for the Broncos.

“His workout was great. He’s in shape. He’s explosive. He can catch the football,” he said. “So he fits what we want in our backs.”

In order for Ridley to make the 53-man roster, he’ll have to do what he’s done in the past: run over Denver’s defense. In 2012, Ridley’s career year, he was the catalyst for a 31-21 Patriots victory over the Broncos, rushing for 151 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown. Although it was a single-game career high, Ridley didn’t get to bask in the glory.

“It’s crazy to say this, but I don’t really remember too much about it,” he said. “The theory in New England is it’s on to the next one. You have your good days, and you have your ones that aren’t so hot. Most times you remember the ones that aren’t so hot more than the good. I just know that in my past I’ve been able to do some pretty good things and I would be more than happy to do try to get back to doing half of what I did in New England.”

In what’s been a whirlwind week for a man from a small town in the south, in order for him to continue to live his dream in the Mile High City, outside of staying healthy, the answer may be simple: just be himself.