Bengals Icons Ken Anderson, Ken Riley Advance to Pro Football Hall Of Fame Senior Semifinals

On Thursday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selection committee announced their 54 semifinalists for the senior spots in the class of 2023. Quarterback Ken Anderson and cornerback Ken Riley – both members of the Bengals Ring of Honor – were among the names that made the cut.

Earlier this offseason, the Hall’s Board of Trustees announced they’d begin an expanded process for senior nominations in 2023. As part of this, 12 players will make the next cut to finalists, and 3 of those finalists will make the final ballot for 2023 induction. The 12 finalists will be announced on July 27, while the 3 final nominations will be announced in August.

Changes aside, this isn’t the first time Anderson or Riley have advanced this far in the process. Both have been among the 25 semifinalists for the senior nomination at this stage of selection in years past. Both players joined Paul Brown and Anthony Muñoz as inaugural members of the Bengals Ring of Honor in 2021. Brown was inducted into the Hall in 1967, while Muñoz was inducted in 1998.

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Anderson played his entire 16-year NFL career in Cincinnati, from 1971 to 1986. A third-round pick out of Augustana College, Anderson went on to throw for 197 touchdowns and over 32,000 yards. In 1981, Anderson started all 16 games and led the Bengals to a 12-4 record, winning the AFC Central. The offense finished second in total yards (5,968) and touchdowns (49) while committing a league-low 24 turnovers. The team went on to beat the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship Game, before ultimately falling 26-21 in Super Bowl XVI. Anderson won several accolades for his performance that season, not the least of which was the MVP award.

Riley, similarly, played his entire 15-year career with the Bengals from 1969 to 1983. A sixth-round pick out of Florida A&M, his 65 career interceptions in that span ties Charles Woodson for the fifth-best mark in NFL history. He earned All-Pro honors in his final season, at age 36, after logging 8 interceptions and returning 2 of them for touchdowns.

– Andy Hammel is the Managing Editor for the Bengals at Full Press Coverage. Follow @Andy_Hammel