Former Bengals CB Ken Riley will officially be a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023.
An interception MACHINE and career member of the @Bengals.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 10, 2023
Welcome to Canton, Ken Riley! pic.twitter.com/zxlNXqvp4a
Riley played for the Bengals from 1969-1983, becoming one of the league’s top players at the position, despite the team’s lack of success over most of that span. As of this date, he is tied for 5th most interceptions in league history, with 65.
While other former Bengals, like Terrell Owens, have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, Riley will become just the second player to officially represent the Bengals. He joins OT Anthony Muñoz, who was inducted back in 1998.
Bengals owner, Mike Brown had this to say on the announcement:
Ken Riley was a wonderful person. Everyone at all levels with the team respected him. Ken looked out for others. He was known as someone who would help. Had he lived, Ken would have delighted in being selected for the Hall of Fame. Now, the extended Bengals family will have to do that for him. We miss him and we celebrate him.
Mike Brown
The Bengals organization, and fans alike, had been pushing for many years to have Ken Riley inducted, to no avail. It is one of many examples of the organization being overlooked on a league-wide scale. He was, however, inducted into the Bengals Ring of Honour in 2021, the first year it was established. Perhaps the internal recognition gave him a boost towards recognition on the national stage.
Unfortunately, Riley passed away back in 2020, before finally receiving the recognition that he deserved. Still, it is great to see him get in, especially for his family.
