06-15-2020, 02:37 PM
I did some googling and found a piece comparing Parrish and Riley and their HOF cases. It was written by a non-Bengal source and took a few things into account.
What seemed to be apparent, if the article is to be believed, is that the Bengals as an organization championed Riley over Parrish when asked by writers about their HOF cases.
It seems that in addition to his off-field issues, Lemar Parrish left the team on extremely acrimonious terms. He wanted a deal worth 100k per year, which the team was not willing to give him. He then went on to blast team ownership for their frugal ways when he was traded to the Redskins along with Coy Bacon. I have no idea how the team brass views Parrish now, but there seemed to be no love lost when the wounds were somewhat fresh.
Riley, on the other hand was a well-liked player within the organization who wasn't vocal in criticizing ownership. He had no off-field issues that anyone knows of and was by all accounts both an intellectual and moral pillar. He was a quarterback by trade, but took up another position and excelled without much complaint.
It's worth noting that both became head coaches at their respective alma maters later in life.
Also worth noting that Riley somehow never selected to a Pro Bowl, although Parrish went to 8.
What seemed to be apparent, if the article is to be believed, is that the Bengals as an organization championed Riley over Parrish when asked by writers about their HOF cases.
It seems that in addition to his off-field issues, Lemar Parrish left the team on extremely acrimonious terms. He wanted a deal worth 100k per year, which the team was not willing to give him. He then went on to blast team ownership for their frugal ways when he was traded to the Redskins along with Coy Bacon. I have no idea how the team brass views Parrish now, but there seemed to be no love lost when the wounds were somewhat fresh.
Riley, on the other hand was a well-liked player within the organization who wasn't vocal in criticizing ownership. He had no off-field issues that anyone knows of and was by all accounts both an intellectual and moral pillar. He was a quarterback by trade, but took up another position and excelled without much complaint.
It's worth noting that both became head coaches at their respective alma maters later in life.
Also worth noting that Riley somehow never selected to a Pro Bowl, although Parrish went to 8.
