Position(s) Defensive back | College Detroit Mercy Name Lee Riley | |
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Date of birth (1932-08-24)August 24, 1932 Date of death June 9, 2011(2011-06-09) NFL draft 1955 / Round: 4 / Pick: 48 | ||
Place of birth Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | ||
BILLY LEE RILEY/LIGHTIN' LEON - DARK MUDDY BOTTOM
Leon Francis Riley, Jr. (August 24, 1932 – June 9, 2011), best known as Lee Riley, was an American college and professional American football defensive back. He played collegiately at the University of Detroit Mercy, in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the New York Giants, and in the American Football League for the New York Titans.
Lee Riley was raised in Schenectady, New York where he attended St. Aloysius Academy (high school). He later attended St. Bonaventure University before transferring to the University of Detroit Mercy, where he played collegiate football. His father, Leon Riley, Sr., played professional baseball and briefly played in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies during World War II before relocating to Rome, New York to assume role as player/manager of a minor league team in 1940s to early 1950s. Lee played college football at the University of Detroit Mercy. He was the older brother of Pat Riley, currently president of the Miami Heat and former National Basketball Association player, coach and broadcaster.
Lee Riley played eight-man football at St. Aloysius Academy. He then went to the U of Detroit and was drafted by the Detroit Lions. He was inducted into the Rome, New York Hall of Fame. In his last year of Professional Football he led the AFL in pass interceptions.