Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley passes away at age 72

Ken Riley (Google Images)

According to the Associated Press on Sunday, former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley of Bartow, Florida passed away at the age of 72. No cause of death was given.

Riley played with the Bengals from 1969 to 1983. He is fifth all-time in NFL interceptions with 65. Riley only trails Paul Krause of Flint, Michigan (81 interceptions with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings from 1964 to 1979), Emlen Tunnell of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (79 interceptions with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers from 1948 to 1961), Rod Woodson of Fort Wayne, Indiana (71 interceptions with the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders from 1987 to 2003), and Night Train Lane of Austin, Texas (68 interceptions with the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, and Detroit Lions from 1952 to 1965).

Even though Riley is fifth all-time in National Football League interceptions, remarkably he has not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Despite being selected three times to the NFL All-Pro Team (1975, 1976, 1983), Riley was never selected to the Pro Bowl.

Riley was initially drafted in the sixth round, 135th overall, by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1969 NFL Draft out of Florida A&M. In 207 games with the Bengals, Riley played had 65 interceptions for 596 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 18 fumble recoveries for 96 yards. Riley is the all-time Bengals leader in interceptions, interception return yards, and interceptions for a touchdown.

After his playing career, Riley was the head coach of the University of Florida A & M Rattlers. In the eight seasons he coached the Rattlers from 1986 to 1993, the University of Florida A & M had a record of 45 wins, 40 losses, and two ties. In 1990, the Rattlers won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and in 1992, qualified for the Heritage Bowl.