Two Cincinnati Bengals greats are now one step away from football immortality.
Bengals legends Ken Anderson and Ken Riley, who were both inducted into the Bengals Ring of Honor in 2021, advanced as finalists in the senior category for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023, the Hall announced Wednesday.
Anderson and Riley are among 12 players and 12 coaches/contributors in the senior category that will be discussed at the Hall’s annual selection meeting early next year before the Super Bowl. Three of the 24 finalists can potentially be elected thanks to the expansion of the Senior pool for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Anderson, the 1981 NFL MVP, spent his entire 15-year playing career (1971-1986) in Cincinnati and also spent ten seasons (1993-2002) on the Bengals coaching staff, including as offensive coordinator from 1996-2000. He also coached quarterbacks in Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.
Anderson is still the Bengals’ all-time passing leader with 32,838 yards and is second with 197 touchdowns (Andy Dalton had 204). He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, including a first-team selection in 1975.
Riley also played his entire career in Cincinnati (1969-1983) and was a first-team All-Pro in his final season and two-time second-team selection. He finished with 65 career interceptions, which is still far and away the most in Bengals history (Louis Breeden is second with 33).
