Bengals legendary cornerback Ken Riley dies at 72

Cincinnati Bengals legend Ken Riley passed away at 72-years-old

Cincinnati Bengals legendary cornerback Ken Riley passed away on Sunday morning at his home in Bartow, Florida. He was 72 years old. 

Riley is considered the best cornerback and one of the best players in Bengals history. 

He played in Cincinnati for 15 seasons, finishing with 65 interceptions, which is the fifth-most in NFL history. He was a three-time All-Pro and helped the Bengals win the AFC Championship in 1981. 

We mourn the passing of one of the greatest Bengals ever, Ken Riley (1947-2020). In 15 seasons with the team, Ken accumulated the fifth-most interceptions in NFL history and was selected as an All-Pro three times. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. pic.twitter.com/e2AXAAi3Kw

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) June 7, 2020

Riley was honored at Paul Brown Stadium in 2017 as part of the Bengals 50th anniversary celebration. 'The Rattler' was 11th on Cincinnati's 'First 50' list.

“Everybody here loved Kenny. He had everyone’s respect. He was a success with us, and after his playing career as a coach and athletic director at Florida A&M," Bengals President Mike Brown said in a statement. “I’m going to miss him. He was a good guy and a solid man. We send our condolences to his family.”

Most Bengals fans believe Riley should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for what he did in Cincinnati. He had eight interceptions at 36 years old in 1983, which was the final year of his career. 

Riley played quarterback at Florida A&M. He posted a 23-7 record as a starter and led the Rattlers to multiple Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles.

He completed nearly 93 percent (100-of-108) of his passes as a senior for 1,408 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

Riley was obviously a great athlete, but he was also a Rhodes Scholar.

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

He went on to become the Rattlers' head coach from 1986-93 and Florida A&M Athletics Director from 1994-02.

The Bengals drafted Riley in the sixth-round (135th overall) of the 1969 NFL Draft. 

He made the transition to cornerback look easy, accumulating at least four interceptions in each of his first three seasons. 

“When he came here, Kenny and Lemar Parrish had never played cornerback, and they’re the two best we’ve ever had," Brown said. "And we’ve had a lot of good ones. We put him over there for a decade and a half and we didn’t have to worry about it. Kenny was quick to the point of the ball as a great interceptor and he was an excellent tackler, even though he wasn’t a very big man."

Riley is not only a Bengals legend — he's also a football legend. 

May he rest in peace. 

WOW! Very cool tribute to Ken Riley - nicely done. QB and road scholar candidate during his time at @FAMUAthletics also enshrined in Florida A&M's Athletic Hall of Fame....AND........ by the way he is 5th in NFL history with 65 INT's. #Stud #bengals #CincinnatiFootballHistory pic.twitter.com/1JislR4Xjm

— Bengal Jim & Friends (@bengaljims_BTR) March 31, 2020