Riley Reiff is a former American football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on December 1, 1988, in Parkston, South Dakota, and attended the University of Iowa, where he played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Reiff was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, with the 23rd overall pick. He played for the Lions for five seasons, from 2012 to 2016, starting in 77 of the 80 games he played in. During his time with the Lions, Reiff was known for his versatility, as he played both left and right tackle positions.
In 2017, Reiff signed a five-year, $58.75 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, making him one of the highest-paid offensive tackles in the league at the time. He played for the Vikings for four seasons, from 2017 to 2020, starting in 58 of the 60 games he played in. During his time with the Vikings, Reiff was a reliable presence on the offensive line, helping to protect quarterback Kirk Cousins and pave the way for running back Dalvin Cook.
In March 2021, Reiff was released by the Vikings due to salary cap constraints. He then signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played in all 17 games of the 2021 season, starting in 16 of them. Reiff was a key part of the Bengals' offensive line, helping to protect rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and contributing to the team's success in reaching the playoffs.
Overall, Reiff had a successful career in the NFL, starting in 151 of the 160 games he played in and earning a reputation as a dependable and versatile offensive tackle. He was known for his toughness, work ethic, and ability to play through injuries, and was respected by his teammates and coaches alike. Reiff announced his retirement from the NFL in January 2022, at the age of 33.
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