Former Bengals Player, FAMU Coach Ken Riley, Dies at 72

BARTOW, FL — Former Cincinnati Bengals star and Florida A & M University football legend Ken Riley passed away at 72 at his home in Bartow on Sunday morning, said Florida A & M University on its website.

Riley played 15 seasons with the Bengals from 1963-1983 as a defensive back, reported ESPN. He had 65 career interceptions for 596 yards and five touchdowns — all franchise records. The interceptions rank fifth in NFL history. He also recovered 18 fumbles.

During his rookie season, he racked up four interceptions and returned kickoffs for an average of 23.9 yards per return, and caught two passes, said Florida A & M University.

Before his NFL career, Riley was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Rattlers.

"I woke up this morning with a heavy heart as I learned of the passing of FAMU and NFL great Ken Riley," said FAMU head football coach Willie Simmons on the university's website. "Coach Riley was one of the first to welcome me to the FAMULY and having him speak to our team before our first Orange and Green game is definitely at the top of my list of unforgettable moments as head coach here at FAMU. My deepest condolences go out to his family, and we as football community will surely honor his memory."

Riley was a four-year starting quarterback at Florida A&M and a Rhodes Scholar candidate. In addition, he was the senior class president in both high school and college.

"FAMU Athletics and the entire Rattler Nation is deeply saddened of the passing of former FAMU football player, head coach, athletics director and NFL great Ken Riley," said vice president and director of athletics Kortne Gosha in a news release. "We wish his family our deepest condolences."

The Bengals also expressed sadness at the loss of one of the team's all-time great players as team president Mike Brown tweeted:

"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. When he came here, Kenny and Lemar Parrish had never played cornerback, and they're the two best we've every had. 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. I'm going to miss him. He was a good guy and a solid man. We send our condolensces to his family."

Riley's cause of death has not been released.