Key Riley to be enshrined in Black College Football Hall of Fame

Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He deserves to be in the Ring of Honor, when the Bengals decide to invest in their legends, history and traditions. He deserves complete recognition.

He will get it this February, though not in the NFL.

Riley was one of six that were named to the 2015 class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Riley, who will be enshrined on Feb. 28, will be joined by Roger Brown, Richard Dent, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd, Donnie Shell and former Jackson State head coach W.C. Gordon.

Riley played quarterback for Florida A&M University, posting a starting record of 23-7 in college -- even leading his team to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles each season that he started.

"This is a great honor. It’s very gratifying to be considered one of the best to come out of a black college," Riley said. "During the time we came out, we couldn’t go to a majority school. I always wanted to be a Rattler and play quarterback. It was an honor to get the opportunity to play for FAMU."

Former Bengals head coach Paul Brown selected Riley in the sixth round of the 1969 NFL draft... then converted him into a cornerback where he'd post 65 interceptions in 15 seasons (all with the Bengals). Riley's 65 interceptions currently ranks fifth in NFL history. Four players, Paul Krause (81), Emlen Tunnell (79), Rod Woodson (71) and Night Train Lane (68), have more interceptions and are currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Black College Sports Hall of Fame was established in 2009 by Doug Williams and James Harris.