Quick Facts
Biography
Rueben Joseph Riley, Jr. (born September 20, 1984) is a former American football offensive lineman. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Michigan.
Riley has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, New York Giants and Hartford Colonials.
Early years
Riley was an offensive and defensive lineman at Creston High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Grand Rapids Creston High School is the only Grand Rapids Public School to ever go to the state finals in football 1999. Riley was a sophomore during that memorable season. After Riley's senior year at Creston High 12 student-athletes from the 2001 Polar Bears football team received scholarships to play football at the college level. In that great pool of talent Riley was named the teams MVP.
College career
Riley played college football at the University of Michigan from 2003–2006 after redshirting in 2002. 2004 He started the majority of the year as a Left Guard. 2005–2006 he started at Right Tackle due to many injuries at the position forcing coaches to move Riley. Riley's body type was projecting him as an early round draft pick at Guard but the Wolverines needed him to sure up the edge as a Tackle his last two years at Michigan.
Professional career
First stint with Panthers
Riley signed with the Carolina Panthers after being passed over in the 2007 NFL Draft. He was cut on September 1, 2007, but was signed to the team's practice squad. He was re-signed during the 2008 offseason, but was waived on July 23.
Miami Dolphins
On July 26, 2008, Riley was signed by the Miami Dolphins after the team waived offensive tackle Julius Wilson. The move reunited him with Dolphins rookies offensive line mate Jake Long and quarterback Chad Henne, whom Riley blocked for at Michigan. Riley although being one of the better offensive lineman on the team struggled with large foot blisters that became worst when the layer of skin was removed by the head trainer worsening the foot injuries. Riley was waived on August 3.
Second stint with Panthers
Riley was re-signed by the Panthers on August 7, 2008 after the team waived offensive tackle Charles Spencer. The same player Panthers acquired when they waived Riley two weeks earlier. He was waived during final preseason cuts on August 30.
Washington Redskins
Riley was signed to the Washington Redskins on December 9, 2008.
New York Giants
Riley was signed to the New York Giants' on December 31, 2009. On January 5, 2010, Riley was signed to a reserved/future contract. He was waived on August 7.
Hartford Colonials
Riley was signed by the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League on September 16, 2010. He reported to the team on Thursday and was the starting left tackle in the season opener on Saturday with the Colonials. Four games into the season Riley blew out his knee tearing three of the four ligaments in his left knee.
Wyoming High School
August 2013 Riley accepted a position at Wyoming High School as a Dean of Students. He was also the Varsity Offensive Line Coach.
On 27 January 2016, Riley was fired for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old student as a defiance of self-defense. The student was asked to leave the classroom for being disruptive, but was extremely insubordinate. As Mr. Riley got the student out the classroom, the student did not comply with his instructions and began to disobey and grabbed Riley threatening to harm him, which led to the physically and verbally aggressive student being taking down.Many students have created signs and petitions hoping for Riley's return.
After all matters where resolved Riley has NO criminal record and continues to be a pilar of strength and example of perseverance for his community. The former football standout thanked God, his family and friends, and community for all of their support and guidance through good and bad times. Riley received a Community Leadership Award afterwards thanking him for standing up for what is right and his efforts in giving back to the youth in his community. He is currently employed at Grand Rapids Christian Schools doing a role similar to his former Dean of Students position at WHS. He is also a Varsity Assistant Coach at GRCH.