Football season has almost come to a close for high schools across the state but one school still vying for a state title is that of the Centralia Panthers. Centralia has quite a bit of illustrious football history and it goes back awhile with an NFL Hall of Famer playing his high school ball in Centralia, that being Northeast Kansas native, John Riggins.

He was known as the "Diesel" during his play time in the NFL and became one of the great tailback/fullbacks in NFL history, winning a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins with perhaps one of the most memorable runs in Super Bowl history in the 27-17 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Early this year Riggins and his family were honored before a Centralia football game with the naming of the field at the high school and a special plaque presentation. NFL Network was in attendance for the festivities to record the ceremony as part of the documentary they were putting together on John. The documentary is part of NFL Network's special series called "A Football Life" which chronicles former NFL stars careers and life's from their youth to now.

John's documentary recently aired on NFL Network earlier this week (video at end of story) and provided a great look into the life of one of Northeast Kansas' top football players ever.

Riggins finished his NFL career with a multitude of accomplishments amassing 11,352 rushing yards and 104 total touchdowns while playing for the Washington Redskins and New York Jets. John was drafted in 1971 by the Jets in the first round after playing college football at the University of Kansas. But of course John got his start in Centralia where he was a three sport athlete as a Panther earning All-American honors in football, All-State in basketball and winning the 100-yard dash state title twice. But, John was not the only Riggins to put his stamp on Centralia Panther athletics as his brothers Bill and Frank both were great athletes, as well. Like John, Bill and Frank both went on to played sports in college as Bill played college football at the University of Kansas, while Frank played college baseball.

The Riggins documentary by the NFL Network is a great depiction of a small town kid working hard to succeed and gives you a great look into the eccentric life of John Riggins.