State of Florida's Pro Football HOF status on rise

Former Florida A&M University 3-times All-American and Cincinnati Bengals 3-times AFC interception leader, Ken Riley is long overdue to be called for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


Bragging rights over which state plays the best high school football is an argument that rages on in Ohio, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and California, among others. With 28 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame born in Texas and 27 in Pennsylvania, both can make good arguments. Ohio checks in with 23 Hall of Famers, while California has 16.

What about Florida? The Sunshine State boasts eight — but that’s a figure growing rapidly. With Rickey Jackson and Emmitt Smith entering the Hall this year, that gives Florida five Hall of Famers in the last four years. Expect that number to continue to grow in years to come as Deion Sanders, Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp become eligible.

For a further example of Florida’s excellence, check out this 33-player All-Century team selected in 2007 by the Florida High School Athletic Association’s panel of experts. It’s an all-state team sure to stack up well against any other.

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Ken Riley, Union Academy (Bartow), 1965. Played offense and defense in high school and QB at Florida A&M, where he was a three-time All-American. Moved back to the secondary in the NFL, where he played 14 seasons with 65 interceptions. Was later head football coach (1986-93) and athletic director (1994-2003) at FAMU.



Willie Galimore, Excelsior High School (St. Augustine), 1952. “He was perhaps the greatest running back I ever saw or coached against,” said Earl Kitchings, former head coach of Matthew Gilbert and Raines high schools. Considered by some experts to be the best Florida high school RB prior to Emmitt Smith. Remains leading rusher in Florida A&M University history. Killed in an automobile accident in 1964. Played football for the NFL Chicago Bears.

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Understated NFL Star Ken Riley Remains Underrated

Former Florida A&M University Rattlers Ken Riley and Bob Hayes, deserve to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their inductions are long overdue as less accomplished players are being named to the Hall.

If Ken Riley had come up with a little trademark dance to perform after each of his 65 NFL interceptions, he might be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. But it isn't Riley's nature to call attention to himself. "I was very low-key," he said. "I always felt actions spoke louder than words."

Now he's not so sure. Twenty-five years after retiring as an active player, the 61-year-old Riley is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A strong case can be made that he should be, starting with statistics and longevity, and then considering more subtle issues like character and what a Hall of Fame should be about.

"He's the kind of classy guy you want to see in the Hall of Fame, what it stands for," said Arthur Hightower, director of player development for the San Diego Chargers. "The Sixties was a turbulent time, and he was a college quarterback who changed positions and never questioned it. Ken Riley has never been a 'me' person; he's always been a guy who just gets the job done."

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Retired NFL players angry about pensions

Many expressing frustration about lack of respect from league and union.

Ken Riley (Florida A&M University) of Bartow, Florida is one of the lucky ones. He played 15 years for the Cincinnati Bengals without injuring a knee. At age 60, Riley feels pretty good. He has yet to tap into his NFL pension. But he knows many players of his era haven't been so fortunate, and he's not sure they're getting enough help from players of this era.

"I went through four NFL strikes," said Riley, who retired as a player in 1983. "Guys make a lot more money now, and that's great. But a lot of guys paved the way for them, and the least they can expect is for the players of today to appreciate it." Riley, now an administrator at Winter Haven High School, says there should be no disconnect between active and former players.

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