The long wait for Cincinnati Bengals legend Ken Riley came to an end on Thursday night at the NFL Honors.
There, Riley became only the second player in Bengals franchise history elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Riley, whose stunning 65 interceptions over the course of his prestigious career remains a top-five all-time mark, was one of three senior finalists and is already a member of the team’s Ring of Honor.
Understandably, the late Riley finally getting his nod generated huge reactions — and not just from Bengals fans who were thrilled to see the team’s commitment to a Ring of Honor and acknowledging the greats of the past see deserving legends pushed to the Hall of Fame itself.
An interception MACHINE and career member of the @Bengals.
Welcome to Canton, Ken Riley! pic.twitter.com/zxlNXqvp4a
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 10, 2023
Very much deserved.
Ken Riley will be inducted into the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame 👏 pic.twitter.com/qgZC8qL8aT
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 10, 2023
Love this video…. full of endorsements for Ken Riley for the @ProFootballHOF #JungleToTheHall | #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/3qNZJgkCr7
— Bengal Jim’s BTR (@bengaljims_BTR) February 10, 2023
To be immortalized in Canton as Hall of Famer No. 368, Ken Riley's resume includes:
-Fourth most interceptions (65) in NFL history.
-1983 First Team All-Pro
–@Bengals Ring of Honor pic.twitter.com/FJNQvfKNZe— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 10, 2023
Ken Riley is officially a Pro Football Hall of Famer! Congratulations to his family. Feels bittersweet he never got the chance to experience this special moment. This should’ve happened a long time ago, but it’s finally official. 🧡🖤#Bengals
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) February 10, 2023
That's ok. It's a good night for Bengals fans.
Ken Riley is finally in the Hall Of Fame! Rest easy, 13.
And I'm betting the Bengals will have all of their coaches back next year.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) February 10, 2023
Speaking of the Black quarterback, Ken Riley was one. He was a four-year starter at QB for FAMU. Then he was forced to move to corner in the NFL. Riley went on to rack up 65 Ints in 15 seasons with the Bengals (1969-83). Now, he's finally a Hall of Famer. Salute to a legend.
— Keith Jenkins (@MrKeithJenkins) February 10, 2023
It's been 25 years since the Bengals had a player inducted into the Hall of Fame.. that ended tonight! The late Ken Riley joins @AnthonyMunozHOF in Canton.
I think I speak for all Bengals fans when I say… It's about time!🏈 pic.twitter.com/NWaEnMAYoB— Sheree Paolello WLWT (@ShereeWLWT) February 10, 2023
Owner Mike Brown on Ken Riley being selected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/STcHLx43nk
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 10, 2023
Ronde Barber, turning to fellow Hall CB Darrele Revis and marveling at classmate Ken Riley’65 picks: “I don’t know if we have that combined.” Not by much. 76
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) February 10, 2023
Disappointed tonight for Willie Anderson.
Thrilled that Ken Riley will be honored with an overdue and very deserved Pro Football Hall of Fame induction this summer.
Heartbroken for his family that Ken isn’t alive to enjoy that moment.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) February 10, 2023
Congratulations to the late Ken Riley and his family on finally being named to the HOF. A well deserved and long overdue honor.
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) February 10, 2023
"He's earned it."
"Not only my father, but my hero."Words from a past interview I did with @KenRileyII1 ring truer than ever tonight.
Ken Riley will be enshrined in Canton. #Bengals @fox19 pic.twitter.com/3pCQfIwC0g
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) February 10, 2023
It should haves happened sooner, but we can't change the past. We can only live in the present & look ahead to the future. Thankfully, we are now assured of a future with Ken Riley's bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Incredibly happy for @KenRileyII1 & the Rattler's family.
— RC (34inXXIII) (@34inXXIII) February 10, 2023
KEN RILEY, YOU ARE A HALL OF FAMER! WHO DEY!!!!!
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) February 10, 2023
A few thoughts on Ken Riley, Hall of Famer: First, he was my coach in college at Florida A&M. That should explain a lot as to why this was so personal for me that he be enshrined
— Jim Vertuno (@JimVertuno) February 10, 2023
Ken Riley FINALLY made the Hall of Fame. Took way too long.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) February 10, 2023
Ken Riley graced the NFL for 15 seasons (1969-83) — all with Cincinnati — and ranks 5th in career interceptions with 65. Congratulations to Florida A&M's finest! I only wish he were alive to treasure this moment with his family.
— Chick Ludwig (@ChickLudwig) February 10, 2023
Ken Riley. We’ll it’s about time. Congratulations to his family and his legacy #bengals. #Cantonfinallycalled
— Ken Broo (@kenbroo) February 10, 2023
First time Dick LeBeau ever called a Fire Zone in a game, Bengals CB Ken Riley picked off the pass.
Happy Riley's getting into the Hall. Well-deserved.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) February 10, 2023
Ken Riley and Don Coryell had a hell of a wait https://t.co/tIAorEdcX9
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) February 10, 2023
That Ken Riley gets in the same year as Darrell Revis is such an indictment of the HOF process
Both clearly deserving but one should have been in years ago
— Colonel Sandanista • WHO DEY 🐅🐅🐅 (@CSandanista) February 10, 2023
