• News
    • Research News
    • Faculty News
    • Alumni News
    • Student News
    • STEM News
  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
FAMU Forward
FAMU Forward

Tallahassee, Florida

May 20th, 2022
  • News
    • Research News
      FAMU To Host NOAA-Sponsored Science Conference

      FAMU To Host NOAA-Sponsored Science Conference

      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Excellence in Research Grant

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

      FAMU College of Pharmacy Prints 3D Cornea Using Human Cells 

    • Faculty News
      FAMU CoPPS, IPH Receives $700K Grant to Increase Awareness and Participation of Minorities in COVID-19 Variant Clinical Research Trials

      FAMU CoPPS, IPH Receives $700K Grant to Increase Awareness and Participation of Minorities in COVID-19 Variant Clinical Research Trials

      FAMU Professor Secures $3.5M to Support Wellness of Florida’s First Responders

      FAMU Professor Secures $3.5M to Support Wellness of Florida’s First Responders

      FAMU Researchers Win NSSR Director Awards for STEM Scholars’ Success Article

      FAMU Researchers Win NSSR Director Awards for STEM Scholars’ Success Article

      FAMU’s David H. Jackson Jr. Appointed Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at NCCU

      FAMU’s David H. Jackson Jr. Appointed Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at NCCU

    • Alumni News
      FAMU Plaque Laying Ceremony Honors Rattlers in Arms Giving

      FAMU Plaque Laying Ceremony Honors Rattlers in Arms Giving

      St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, Disney Executive Sybil Crum Announced as FAMU Spring Commencement Speakers

      St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, Disney Executive Sybil Crum Announced as FAMU Spring Commencement Speakers

      FAMU Alum Daria Willis Named Next President of Howard Community (Md.) College

      FAMU Alum Daria Willis Named Next President of Howard Community (Md.) College

      FAMU Summer Grad Awarded Post-Doctoral Fellowship at USC

      FAMU Summer Grad Awarded Post-Doctoral Fellowship at USC

    • Student News
      FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google’s Shape Co-Lab

      FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google’s Shape Co-Lab

      FAMU Student’s Sweet Design Lands in Target Stores Nationwide

      FAMU Student’s Sweet Design Lands in Target Stores Nationwide

      Twelve FAMU Students To Participate in Goldman Sachs Market Madness Program

      Twelve FAMU Students To Participate in Goldman Sachs Market Madness Program

      Two Agribusiness Graduate Students Awarded Florida Fertilizer Agrichemical Association Scholarships for Academic Excellence

      Two Agribusiness Graduate Students Awarded Florida Fertilizer Agrichemical Association Scholarships for Academic Excellence

    • STEM News
      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      Keysight Technologies Extends Commitment to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU-FSU COE Researchers Find New Microwave Technique That Makes Fertilizer More Efficient, Environmentally Friendly

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

      FAMU Physics Professor Awarded $350,000 National Science Foundation Grant

      FAMU Chemical Engineering Student Gets Historic Doctorate, Gets Offer From Harvard

      FAMU Chemical Engineering Student Gets Historic Doctorate, Gets Offer From Harvard

  • Events
    • Spring 2018 Commencement
  • Publications
    • A&M Magazine
  • Media
    • Videos
      • Videos
      • FAMU Taught Me Series
      • Discover FAMU Series
    • Social Media
    • Student Media
    • Experts Guide
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Request Forms
    • Advertising Rate Sheet
  • FAMU.edu
  • Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
    • RSS
Home
News
Alumni

FAMU Alumnus Ken Riley enshrined in Cincinnati Bengals Inaugural Ring of Honor

October 1st, 2021 Andrew Skerritt Alumni, News
FAMU Alumnus Ken Riley enshrined in Cincinnati Bengals Inaugural Ring of Honor

By Vaughn Wilson

Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus Ken Riley was one of three honorees in the inaugural class of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ring of Honor on September 30 in a nationally televised game won by the Bengals 24-21 over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  

Riley, who died in 2020, joined Bengals co-founder/coach, the late Paul Brown, quarterback Ken Anderson and Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz as the first to earn the honor.  Riley’s son, Ken Riley II, took part in the festivities in honor of his late father.

In a pre-game banquet, members of the 1981 Bengals team traded stories about their historic Super Bowl season.  Several members of the team spoke about the challenges of making it to the Super Bowl and all the characters on the team.

Riley was the very definition of “favorite son.”  He came to FAMU in the mid 1960s and was a trademark student-athlete.  Under Coach Jake Gaither, he thrived at quarterback and led the Rattlers’ high-powered offense. He was also a Rhodes Scholar candidate, signifying his academic prowess.  

After playing professional football from 1969-1983 with the Cincinnati Bengals, Riley returned to FAMU to become head football coach. Recognizing his administrative skills, FAMU president Frederick S. Humphries, Ph.D., hired Riley to oversee the FAMU athletics department.

As with everything, Riley did it with his calm and reserve demeanor.  His management style would lead to an era of the biggest crowds and highest profitability in FAMU athletics history.  When he left FAMU, it had a rare funding surplus of over $1.2 million, which was unheard of for FCS programs.

While playing for the Bengals, Riley set several records. He was a three-time All-Pro selection.  Upon retirement, he was fourth all-time in interceptions and to this day he remains fifth on the list.  He also returned those 65 interceptions for a total of 596 yards.  He was also known as a great returner, taking five of those interceptions back for touchdowns.

Riley’s wife, Barbara, was emotional about the festivities.

“It was heartwarming and breaking at the same time because he’s not here to accept this for himself.  I’m proud of my son who stepped up and my daughters,” she said. “It’s so heartwarming to know how the fans really appreciated and loved him.”

Unlike many of the flashy players who are a part of the league today, Riley was a humble and low-key guy.  Known as “Rattler” for his time at Florida A&M, he was a team leader and mentor to new players.  Bengals great Chris Collinsworth credits Riley with teaching him the most about playing receiver than anyone.

“Out of everybody that taught me football…after every route that I ran and he jumped it for an interception or knocked it down…I could never get away from him, he’d come back a go ‘you tipped your right elbow, or you dipped your head.’  Every single play he came back teaching me what I did wrong, how to do it right,” said Collinsworth, who described his friendship with Riley as one of the most enlightening relationships he’s ever been a part of.

Following his death last year, Riley was honored with an elaborate funeral in Lakeland, Fla.

Riley II was pleased to be a part of the ceremonies to commemorate the ring of honor.

“I think that Cincinnati is one of the last teams to get a ring of honor.  We’ve always talked about that if you don’t honor your own, you can’t expect the rest of the nation to do it for you. We are a family that is appreciative of this opportunity,” Riley II said.

Riley Sr. is credited with being a solid but versatile athlete. He never played defensive back in college but learned the position between his last game as a Rattler and his first game as a Bengal.

His exclusion from the pro football Hall of Fame remains a mystery. Riley’s 65 interceptions should be a benchmark. Every single player with 65 interceptions and above is already enshrined in Canton, Ohio. For the family and fans of Kenneth Jerome Riley, the hope is that the recognition from the Bengals’ Ring of Honor will lead to his nod in the NFL Hall of FAME.

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Previous article FAMU Professor Elected to IFOAM Organics International World Board
Next article FAMU Homecoming 2021 Promises ‘An Epic Return’
Related Posts
FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google’s Shape Co-Lab

FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google’s Shape Co-Lab

May 18th, 2022
FAMU Public Health Professor Named 2022-2023 Fulbright Scholar

FAMU Public Health Professor Named 2022-2023 Fulbright Scholar

May 17th, 2022
FAMU Names Gloria Walker New CFO/VP for Finance & Administration 

FAMU Names Gloria Walker New CFO/VP for Finance & Administration 

May 12th, 2022
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by the FAMU Office of Communications.


Timeline
May 18th 10:13 AM
Students

FAMU Becomes First HBCU to Pilot Google’s Shape Co-Lab

May 17th 3:31 PM
News

FAMU Public Health Professor Named 2022-2023 Fulbright Scholar

May 12th 3:37 PM
News

FAMU Names Gloria Walker New CFO/VP for Finance & Administration 

May 11th 3:23 PM
News

FAMU College of Law Judges Gallery Celebrates Alumni on the Bench

May 10th 9:59 PM
News

Portion of FAMU’s Wahnish Way Closed Until Week of May 23

Follow Us!
Tweets by @FAMU_1887
RSS FAMU Sports News
  • Head Coach Willie Simmons Announces New Additions to Football Staff
  • SWAC Champs Qualify for NCAA East Prelims
  • Florida A&M Football Joins Youth in Academy Sports + Outdoors Shopping Spree
  • Rattlers prepare for final regular season series against Bethune-Cookman
  • Rattlers go winless in series versus Jackson State
A&M Magazine Digital Stories
FAMU Videos

💉 #CallTheShots with FAMU's Basketball Team 🏀

👨🏾‍🎓 Congratulations to the Spring 2022 Graduates 👩🏿‍🎓

Upcoming Events
Jul
8
Fri
all-day IRENE C. EDMONDS YOUTH THEATRE P... @ Charles Winter Wood Theatre-Edmonds Stage
IRENE C. EDMONDS YOUTH THEATRE P... @ Charles Winter Wood Theatre-Edmonds Stage
Jul 8 – Jul 9 all-day
IRENE C. EDMONDS YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCTION @ Charles Winter Wood Theatre-Edmonds Stage
IRENE C. EDMONDS YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCTION   July 8 – 9, 2022 Charles Winter Wood Theatre | Edmonds Stage Share a delightful evening applauding the achievements of a group of talented young performers, culminating a[...]
View Calendar
Add
  • Add to Timely Calendar
  • Add to Google
  • Add to Outlook
  • Add to Apple Calendar
  • Add to other calendar
  • Export to XML
Calendar
October 2021
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Sep   Nov »
Archives
Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Enter your email address to subscribe to our news site and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Us!
Got a Story?

We love hearing from our alumni.  Let us know what you’ve been up to since you left the hill! Contact us here today!

© Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 2019. All rights reserved.
Powered by the FAMU Office of Communications