So I actually didn't know it existed until coming across Cold Hard Football Fact's announcement for this year's Hall of the Very Good. Established in 2002 (with their inaugural class in 2003) by the Professional Football Researchers Association, the Hall of the Very Good was a way to honor "outstanding players and coaches who are not in the Hall of Fame and are not likely to ever make it." Other Bengals in the Hall of the Very Good includes cornerback Ken Riley, who retired in 1983 with 65 career interceptions that still ranks fifth all-time.
Nearly 30 years after his last game, still ranks fifth all-time with 65 career interceptions. Returned five of those 65 for touchdowns. Finished second in NFL in INT’s three times in his career with highs of 9 in ’76 and 8 in’83. Missed only eight games in 15 seasons.
The Bengals will feature two finalists for this year's class, including Ken Anderson. The other, Bill Bergey, linebacker for the Bengals from 1969-1973, was named as our best Bengals player to wear the uniform No. 66. Drafted in the second round of the 1969 NFL Draft, Bergey made the AFL 's All-Star game as the Bengals middle linebacker. Bergey was eventually traded because he signed a "futures contract" with the World Football League, which folded, voiding his contract. Paul Brown received two first rounders and a second from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he would go to four Pro Bowls during his five-year stay.