Former Bengals star cornerback Ken Riley passed away Sunday at the age of 72.
Riley played 15 seasons for Cincinnati recording a career 65 interceptions for 596 yards and five touchdowns. According to ESPN, these are not only Bengals franchise records but his 65 interceptions rank fifth-best in NFL history.
A native of Bartow, Florida, Riley was a four-year starter at Florida A&M U as a quarterback. The Bengals then broke down barriers selecting him in the sixth round of the 1969 NFL Draft under Bengals legendary coach Paul Brown.
Brown then converted Riley from a quarterback to a cornerback and the rest they say is history as he was a three-time all-pro and ball-hawking corner despite his diminutive stature.
Post-playing career, he decided to become the head coach of his alma-mater coaching the Rattlers from 1986-1993. Riley was a two-time MEAC conference coach of the year going a career 45-40-2 with a bowl appearance in 1992.
Both the Rattlers and Bengals offered their condolences and memories to the Cincy legend, may he rest in peace!
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