Ken Riley

Championship Games

1981 AFC — Cincinnati Bengals 27, San Diego Chargers 7

• Riley started at right cornerback. He had one assisted tackle and three passes defensed.

• Riley started at right cornerback. He had on solo tackle and one pass defensed.

All-Pro: 1983 (AP, SN, PW)

All-Pro Second Team: 1975 (AP, PFWA), 1976 (AP, PFWA)

All-AFC: 1975 (AP, SN), 1976 (AP), 1983 (PW)

All-AFC Second Team: 1975 (UPI), 1976 (UPI), 1981 (UPI), 1983 (UPI)

Bengals’ records held by Riley
Records through the 1983 season, Riley's final season with the Bengals

• [1st] Most seasons played, career — 15 (1969-1983)
• [1st] Most games played, career — 207
• [1st] Most interception, career — 65
• [1st] Most interceptions, season — 9
• [1st] Most interception return yardage, career — 591
• [Tied for 1st] Most interceptions, game — 3 (at N.Y. Jets, Dec. 12, 1976; vs. L.A. Raiders, Nov. 12, 1982)
• [2nd] Most touchdowns by return, career — 5 (INT)
• [2nd] Most interceptions, season – 8 (1983)
• [3rd] Most interception return yardage, season — 141 (1976)
• [Tied for 4th] Most interceptions, season — 6 (1975)
• [5th] Longest interception return — 66 (vs. Denver Broncos, Oct. 19, 1969)

Postseason records

• [1st] Most interceptions, career — 3
• [2nd] Most interception return yardage, game — 34 (at Oakland Raiders, Dec. 28, 1975)
• [2nd] Longest interception return, game — 34 (at Oakland Raiders, Dec. 28, 1975)
• [2nd] Most interception return yardage, career — 34

AFC statistical championships
Interception titles: 1976, 1982, 1983

Team statistical championships
Kickoff return titles: 1969
Interception titles: 1969, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1983

* Regular season finish in strike-shortened season.

Full name: Kenneth Jerome Riley

Birthdate: Aug. 6, 1947

Birthplace: Bartow, Florida

High school: Union Academy (Bartow, Florida)

Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: Jan. 17, 2023

Other members of the Class of 2023: Rondé Barber, Don Coryell, Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware.

Pro career: 15 seasons, 207 games.

Drafted: 6th round (135th overall) in 1969 by Cincinnati Bengals

Uniform number: 13

KEN RILEY II: Years ago, when I was talking to my father, I told him that we wouldn't visit Canton until he was enshrined.

And now I'm here today, and I believe that he and my grandmother are smiling down on us.

My father played with the Bengals for 15 years, from 1969 until '83. And even though he never played defense until they drafted him, my father, Ken Riley, ended his career as the No. 4 all‑time interception leader.

Today, 40 years later, he's still tied for No. 5.

My father was a true professional, from start to finish. As a kid, I didn't know what I was watching when he was training on those long, hot, summer Florida days. Sometimes we would ride along in the car as he ran on the old country roads. But as a man, I understand that I was seeing the dedication, commitment and hard work that it takes to be great.

The good ones make it look easy. Most people think they're just born with talent, which is true, but what they don't see is the blood, sweat and tears that go into making that talent shine.

Dad is just being inducted today, but his whole life he was a Hall of Famer on and off the field.

My father was a God‑fearing man, always told us to keep God first. He cared about his family, his community, and kids. He was a family man to the bone, and being away from us for months at a time while he played was a giant sacrifice.

And then when his playing days were over, he sacrificed again, this time putting his career second to his family. He had a budding NFL coaching career but took a job at his alma mater, Florida A&M University.

He did that because he loved the school but also because he thought we would be happier back in Florida than we were in the Green Bay, especially my sisters.

Once he was at FAMU, he got calls from SMU, Georgia Tech and others, but he didn't leave. It was important to him that we all finish our education. And thanks to his and my mother's guidance, we all graduated with college degrees.

My sister Kim, she's in the audience, she has a doctorate in pharmacy, and she's been a pharmacist for over 20 years. My youngest sister, Kenisha, has a bachelor's in physical therapy and a master's in public health. Cameron, Chance Connor, Ken "KJ" Riley III, Kaden Riley, his four grandsons, I hope that we're making him proud.

I want to say a couple of words to my mother, one of the strongest women I know. My dad always used to say that marrying Barbara "Candy" Moore was the best decision he ever made, and he was right.

When he was doing the season, she was mom and dad. She was the rock of our family. And even though she was working as a teacher, she always made sure that we had everything we needed.

Mom, I know it's hard to see the fruition of everything you and Dad worked for and him not being here with us today. But all the love that everyone is here feeling for him, that's for you too because of the way you supported him and helped him stay strong for the 51‑plus years that you two were married.

(Applause.)

Finally, I want to say thank you to everyone who is here today to share this great day with us. Many thanks to the Hall president, Jim Porter; all the volunteers; all the staff; and all of the voters who made this happen.

To the fans, all of the Who Dey Nation, want to give a special shout out, Who Dey, to Bengal Jim and his wife. He's been a great supporter over the past few years.

To my dad's former teammates, a lot of who are here today, Ken Anderson, Isaac Curtis, Louis Breeden, Reggie Williams, Leapin' Lemar Parrish, and some of his peers, Mel Blount, James Lofton, Coach Forrest Gregg, those guys always have been a support.

I also want to thank the Bengals organization, Coach Paul Brown who gave him that start, Mike Brown and all of the Brown family, and to everyone who loved the game the way that he did.

It's been a long time coming, Dad, but you made it.

Thank you.

(Applause.)