Victor Riley, an eight-year NFL veteran who spent three seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2002-04), retired on April 8. He was 49.
Riley was drafted in the first round (27th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs out of Auburn in 1998. He spent four seasons with the Chiefs before signing with the Saints as an unrestricted free agent in 2002. Over three seasons with the Saints, the 6-foot-5, 340-pound tackle appeared in 46 games, making 33 starts at right tackle. Riley would play one more season in the NFL after leaving the Saints in 2005, this time with the Houston Texans.
Riley took over the starting job for the Saints in 2003, paving the way for running back Deuce McAllister, who finished the season with a career-high 1,641 yards and eight touchdowns, earning his second Pro Bowl berth. The Saints offense recorded 5,438 net yards that season, the second-highest total in club history.
Riley remained the starter in 2004, paving the door for another 1,079 yards for McAllister and another 5,193 net yards for the Saints offense, which was then the third-highest total in franchise history.
Riley would complete his NFL career after appearing in 111 games, beginning in 1993.
Riley was a four-year Auburn Tigers player who was selected a second-team All-American in 1997. During his four years, he appeared in 42 regular-season games (33 starts) and opened two bowl games.
Riley, who was born on November 4, 1974 in Lexington, South Carolina, only played two years of prep football for the Swansea High School Tigers in Swansea, South Carolina. Riley played guard and defensive end, helping the team win two state championships in two years and receiving all-state and all-area honors.
