Legendary FAMU football star and coach Ken Riley achieved a momentous milestone this summer when he was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
This tribute marked a significant achievement, as Riley became only the second player from Florida A&M University to make it to the NFL. He played in the NFL for 15 years spending his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he recorded 65 interceptions, the fourth most in the NFL at the time.
In addition to his remarkable NFL success, Riley is revered as an icon at FAMU, where he starred at quarterback for three seasons.
Riley’s leadership on the field led the Rattlers to an impressive 23-7 record during his tenure. His contributions to FAMU were duly recognized when he was inducted into the FAMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Riley embarked on a career in coaching. He initially served as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers before returning to his alma mater, where he assumed the role of head coach. Riley led the Rattlers for seven years before he was promoted to athletic director.
Vaughn Wilson, a former FAMU assistant athletic director, played under Riley and was a tireless advocate for Riley’s inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Wilson attended Riley’s induction this summer along with Riley’s family.
Wilson described Riley as a remarkable individual and mentor, reflecting on the positive impact Riley had on his life. Wilson also expressed his belief that Riley should have received Hall of Fame recognition much earlier, considering his retirement four decades ago and his exceptional statistics, which still place him among the elite few in NFL history.
In recognition of Riley’s outstanding contributions to FAMU, the university paid tribute to this esteemed Rattler on Saturday by naming the field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in his honor. This was a fitting tribute that, importantly, did not diminish the homage paid to Jubie Barton Bragg, Jr., FAMU’s first head coach.
“There has been no person in FAMU history that started out as a player, came back and became head coach and as athletic director and did a great job at all three things,” Wilson said.
Riley’s legacy extended beyond the football field, Wilson added, encompassing financial and marketing achievements for the athletic department, including the successful promotion of the Florida Classic, which drew crowds of up to 70,000.
A heartfelt halftime ceremony was conducted Saturday to honor Riley’s legacy on the field, with his family in attendance. Riley’s profound contributions to FAMU continue to be cherished and celebrated, cementing his status as a true icon in the university’s history.