DB / CB

Ken Riley

Class of 2023

Interceptions

65

Seasons

15

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Enshrinement is Aug. 5.

Enshrinement Speech

A former college quarterback at Florida A&M University, Ken Riley transitioned to cornerback in the National Football League.

Career Highlights

A former college quarterback at Florida A&M University, Ken Riley transitioned to cornerback in the National Football League, spending all 15 of his professional seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who had used a sixth-round pick to select him in the 1969 AFL-NFL Draft.

He made an immediate impact, playing all 14 games as a rookie and intercepting four passes as the Bengals cracked the top 10 in defense despite a 4-9-1 team record.

Riley would earn a reputation for consistency at his position. He intercepted at least one pass in every season, finishing his career with 65 overall. He ranks fifth (tied with Hall of Famer CHARLES WOODSON) on the NFL’s all-time list, and only Hall of Famer Rod Woodson intercepted more passes from the cornerback position.

Nine interceptions – Riley’s career-high and a Bengals team record – came in the team’s 10-win 1976 season. He finished the year with a flourish: a three-interception game in the 42-3 rout of the New York Jets.

Riley nearly matched his best season in the last year of his career, intercepting eight passes and returning two for touchdowns in 1983. He was rewarded with his lone first-team All-Pro designation.

Another notable accomplishment occurred in 1982, when Riley intercepted five passes in the strike-shortened nine-game season. Three thefts – one returned for a 56-yard score – came in a 31-17 victory over the Los Angeles Raiders.

At the time of his retirement, Riley also held Bengals records for most seasons played (15), most regular-season games played (207), career interception return yardage (591) and postseason interceptions (3). He led the Bengals in interceptions seven times and led the AFC three times.

In college, Riley led the Florida A&M Rattlers to a 23-7 record as a starting quarterback and three conference titles. In 1982, he was inducted into the Florida A&M Athletic Hall of Fame.

Following his playing career, Riley returned to his alma mater as head football coach (1986-1993) and athletic director (1994-2003). His FAMU teams posted a 48-39-2 record, and he won two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and two MEAC Coach of the Year awards.

Year Team
G
No.
Yds
Avg
TD
1969 Cincinnati Bengals
14
4
66
16.5
0
1970 Cincinnati Bengals
14
4
17
4.3
0
1971 Cincinnati Bengals
13
5
22
4.4
0
1972 Cincinnati Bengals
12
3
0
0
0
1973 Cincinnati Bengals
14
2
2
1.0
0
1974 Cincinnati Bengals
14
5
33
6.6
0
1975 Cincinnati Bengals
14
6
76
12.7
1
1976 Cincinnati Bengals
14
9
141
15.7
1
1977 Cincinnati Bengals
14
2
14
7.0
0
1978 Cincinnati Bengals
16
3
33
11.0
0
1979 Cincinnati Bengals
13
1
0
0
0
1980 Cincinnati Bengals
16
3
9
3.0
1
1981 Cincinnati Bengals
16
5
6
1.2
0
1982 Cincinnati Bengals
9
5
88
17.6
1
1983 Cincinnati Bengals
14
8
89
11.1
2
Career total  
295
65
596
9.2
5
Additional Career Statistics: Receptions: 2-15; Kickoff Returns: 14-334.

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.

Super Bowls

Super Bowl XVI — San Fancisco 49ers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 21
  • 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

• 1990s All-Decade Team

 
Year Team
W
L
T
Divison Finish
1969 Cincinnati Bengals
4
9
1
(5th)
1970 Cincinnati Bengals
8
6
0
(1st)
1971 Cincinnati Bengals
4
10
0
(4th)
1972 Cincinnati Bengals
8
6
0
(3rd)
1973 Cincinnati Bengals
10
4
0
(1st)
1974 Cincinnati Bengals
7
7
0
(3rd)
1975 Cincinnati Bengals
11
3
0
(2nd)
1976 Cincinnati Bengals
10
4
0
(2nd)
1977 Cincinnati Bengals
8
6
0
(2nd)
1978 Cincinnati Bengals
4
12
0
(4th)
1979 Cincinnati Bengals
4
12
0
(4th)
1980 Cincinnati Bengals
6
10
0
(4th)
1981 Cincinnati Bengals
12
4
0
(1st)
1982 Cincinnati Bengals
7
2
0
(2nd)*
1983 Cincinnati Bengals
7
9
0
(3rd)
 

* 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

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Enshrinement is Aug. 5. 

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