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One of 9 Union Academy graduates who made it to NFL before school closed in 1968. Played offense and defense in high school and QB at FAMU, where he was a 3-time All-American. Moved back to the secondary in the NFL, where he played 14 seasons with 65 INTs. Was later head football coach (1986-93) and athletic director (1994-2003) at FAMU.


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(Opens in a new window)) 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.

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An Everlasting Flame l Ken Riley

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