Ken Riley, who starred for Florida A&M and with the Cincinnati Bengals, died Sunday at the age of 72.
The defensive back was a four-year starting quarterback in college and a Rhodes Scholar candidate. In addition, he was the Senior Class President in both high school and college.
“FAMU Athletics and the entire Rattler Nation is deeply saddened of the passing of former FAMU football player, Head Coach, Athletics Director and NFL great Ken Riley,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha said. “We wish his family our deepest condolences.”
“I woke up this morning with a heavy heart as I learned of the passing of FAMU and NFL great Ken Riley,” FAMU Head Football Coach Willie Simmons said. “Coach Riley was one of the first to welcome me to the FAMULY and having him speak to our team before our first Orange and Green game is definitely at the top of my list of unforgettable moments as head coach here at FAMU. My deepest condolences go out to his family and we as football community will surely honor his memory.”
He was selected in the sixth round, with the 135th pick by the Cincinnati Bengals during the 1969 NFL Draft.
Riley played with the Bengals for 15 years (1969-1983). He was converted to cornerback in training camp by Coach Paul Brown. During his rookie season, he made four interceptions and returned 14 kickoffs for an average of 23.9 yards per return. He also caught two passes.
Riley recorded 65 interceptions in his career, which was the fourth-most in NFL history at the time of his retirement and is currently fifth on that list.
Three of the top five players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. While he is fifth on the NFL All-Time interceptions list, he remains the only player not enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Florida A&M inducted Riley into its Hall of Fame in 1977. Riley was also inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
“He was a good man. He was one of our greatest athletes and person,” FAMU Sports Hall of Fame chairman Alvin Hollins said.
“Ken showed tremendous leadership as a student and a quarterback. The only regret is that he didn’t get in the Pro Football Hall of Fame before he passed. Several of the players he coached made it to the NFL. We had great success with him as a coach and athletics director.”
I am crushed to wake up and hear the news about the passing of @FAMUAthletics and @Bengals legend Ken Riley. He was a kind and wonderful man, great player and wonderful coach who shaped the lives. He is part of our @BCFHOF family. This really hits hard.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) June 7, 2020