View source for Night Train Lane

{{Short description|American football player (1928–2002)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Night Train Lane
| image         = Dick Lane 1962.JPG
| image_size    =
| alt           = 
| caption       = Lane with the [[Detroit Lions]] in 1962
| number        = 81
| position      = [[Cornerback]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1928|4|16}}
| birth_place   = [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|2002|1|29|1928|4|16}}
| death_place   = Austin, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 1
| weight_lb     = 194
| high_school   = [[Anderson High School (Texas)|L. C. Anderson]] (Austin)
| college       = [[Scottsbluff Cougars football|Scottsbluff]] (1947)
| undraftedyear = 1952
| pastteams     =
* [[Los Angeles Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1952|1953}})
* [[Chicago Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|1954|1959}})
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|1960|1965}})
| highlights    =
* 7× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1956 All-Pro Team|1956]], [[1957 All-Pro Team|1957]], [[1959 All-Pro Team|1959]]–[[1963 All-Pro Team|1963]])
* 3× Second-team All-Pro ([[1954 All-Pro Team|1954]], [[1958 All-Pro Team|1958]], [[1963 All-Pro Team|1963]])
* 7× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1955 Pro Bowl|1954]]–[[1957 Pro Bowl|1956]], [[1959 Pro Bowl|1958]], [[1961 Pro Bowl|1960]]–[[1963 Pro Bowl|1962]])
* 2× [[List of NFL annual interceptions leaders|NFL interceptions leader]] (1952, 1954)
* [[NFL 1950s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[Arizona Cardinals#Ring of Honor|Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor]]
* [[Pride of the Lions]]
* [[Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team]]
* [[Detroit Lions#Lions All-Time Team|Detroit Lions All-Time Team]]
; NFL record
* Most interceptions in a season: 14 (1952){{efn|This is also the record for most interceptions in a rookie season.}}
| statlabel1    = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue1    = 68
| statlabel2    = Interception yards
| statvalue2    = 1,207
| statlabel3    = [[Fumble]] recoveries
| statvalue3    = 11
| statlabel4    = [[Safety (gridiron football score)|Safeties]]
| statvalue4    = 1
| statlabel5    = Defensive [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue5    = 7
| pfr           = LaneDi00
| HOF           = dick-night-train-lane 
}}

'''Richard Lane''' (April 16, 1928 – January 29, 2002), commonly known as '''Dick''' "'''Night Train'''" '''Lane''', was an American professional [[American football|football]] [[cornerback]] who played for 14 years in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played for the [[Los Angeles Rams]] (1952–1953), the [[Chicago Cardinals]] (1954–1959), and the [[Detroit Lions]] (1960–1965).

As a rookie in [[1952 NFL season|1952]], Lane had 14 [[interception]]s, a mark that remains an NFL record over 70 years later. He played in the [[Pro Bowl]] seven times and was selected as a first-team [[All-Pro]] player seven times between 1956 and 1963. His 68 career [[List of National Football League career interceptions leaders |interceptions]] ranked second in NFL history at the time of his retirement and still ranks fourth in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballdb.com/leaders/career-defense-interceptions|title=Career interceptions|website=Footballdb.com}}</ref> He was also known as one of the most ferocious tacklers in NFL history and was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1974. He was named to the [[National Football League 50th Anniversary All-Time Team]] in 1969, named to the [[National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team|75th Anniversary All-Time Team]] in 1994 and unanimously named to the [[National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]] in 2019. In 1999, he was ranked number 20 on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

After retiring from professional football, Lane worked for the Detroit Lions in various administrative positions from 1966 to 1972 and then held assistant coaching positions at [[Southern University]] (1972) and [[Central State University]] (1973). For 17 years, from 1975 to 1992, he was in charge of [[Detroit]]'s [[Police Athletic League]].

==Early career==
===Youth===
Lane was born in [[Austin, Texas]], in April 1928.<ref name="PFR">{{Cite web |title=Night Train Lane |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LaneDi00.htm |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}} (listing date of birth as April 16, 1928)</ref><ref>Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Listing date of birth as April 16, 1928.</ref> When he was three months old, he was abandoned by his birth parents, a prostitute and pimp.<ref name="Austin1">{{Cite news |last=Rick Cantu |date=January 19, 2001 |title=Night Train's tale: NFL Hall of Famer Dick Lane reflects on East Austin roots, pro football life in new book |page=C1 |work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref> He was found, covered in newspapers, in a dumpster.<ref name="LAT">{{Cite news |last=Gary Klein |date=January 31, 2002 |title=Dick 'Night Train' Lane, 73; Set Record as Rookie on L.A. Rams |page=B12 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6810420/dick_night_train_lane_73_set_record/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="APobit">{{Cite news |last=Jim Vertuno |date=January 31, 2002 |title=NFL legend 'Night Train' Lane dead at 73 |page=3D |work=Longview News-Journal (AP story) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6810578/nfl_legend_night_train_lane_dead_at_73/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |last=Richard Goldstein |date=February 1, 2002 |title=Night Train Lane, 73, N.F.L. Defensive Star |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/01/sports/night-train-lane-73-nfl-defensive-star.html}}</ref> Lane later recalled, "My father was called Texas Slim. I never saw him—I don't know if he's the one that told my mother to throw me away. A pimp told my mother I had to go. They put me in a trash can and took off. Some people heard me crying. They thought it was a cat."<ref name="Austin3">{{Cite news |last=John Maher |date=October 23, 1994 |title=Richard Night Train Lane: After a Remarkable Football Career and Life, This Lion in Winter Has Pulled Into His Home Station Again |page=C14 |work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref>

Lane was adopted and raised by Ella Lane, who also had four other children.<ref name=Austin3 /> As a youth in Austin, Lane grew up poor, busing tables at local hotels and shining shoes on Congress Avenue.<ref name="Austin2">{{Cite news |last=Andrew Maraniss |date=June 30, 1991 |title='Night Train' knew his cues, and used one |page=F4 |work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref>  He also helped his mother with a laundry business she ran out of the home.<ref name=Austin3 /> Lane became known as "Cue Ball" and later recalled how he acquired the nickname: "I was in a pool hall in 12th street. We were playing for money, maybe a dime. As soon as I made the eight ball, the other guy took off running. He didn't want to pay. I grabbed that cue ball and just as he made the corner I threw it and hit him upside the head. The guy didn't know what had hit him."<ref name=Austin3 />

===Anderson High School===
Lane attended [[Anderson High School (Texas)|L.C. Anderson High School]], Austin's segregated high school for African Americans. He played basketball and football and was a member of the school's 1945 and 1946 football teams. The 1945 team was runner-up in the [[Prairie View Interscholastic League]], an association of black schools in Texas.<ref name=Austin1/><ref name=Austin3/><ref>Obituaries indicate that he led the 1944 team that won the Prairie View championship, but more detailed stories indicate he appeared in only one game for the 1944 team.</ref>

===Negro league baseball===
After graduating from high school, Lane lived for a time in [[Council Bluffs, Iowa]], with his birth mother, Etta Mae King. She had visited during Lane's youth, and the two reconciled.  His mother and a man had opened a tavern in Council Bluffs. While in Council Bluffs, a baseball scout signed Lane, and he played for a time with the [[Negro league]] [[Omaha Rockets]], a farm team for the [[Kansas City Monarchs]].<ref name=Austin3/>

===Scottsbluff Junior College===
In the fall of 1947, Lane enrolled at [[Western Nebraska Community College|Scottsbluff Junior College]] in [[Scottsbluff, Nebraska]]. He played one season of college football at Scottsbluff.<ref name=Austin3/> He was the only African American player on the team, and a clipping from the college newspaper noted, "He is outstanding for his vicious tackles, hard running and pass snatching."<ref name=Scott/>{{dead link|date=January 2019}} The Scottsbluff football team compiled a 5–3–1 record with Lane in the lineup in 1947 and finished in third place in the Nebraska Junior College Conference.<ref name=Scott/>

===Military service===
In 1948, Lane enlisted in the [[United States Army]] and served for four years.<ref name=LAT/> He served at [[Fort Ord]] on [[Monterey Bay]] in California and played on a Fort Ord football team. In 1951, he caught 18 touchdown passes for Fort Ord.<ref name="Where">{{Cite news |date=November 13, 1981 |title=Where He Is Now: On the Track of "Night Train" Lane |page=14 |work=Ukiah Daily Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6819257/on_the_track_of_night_train_lane/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He received second-team All-Army honors in 1949 and first-team honors in 1951.<ref name="Ebony">{{Cite news |date=May 1978 |title=Whatever happened to ... 'Night Train' Lane |pages=100, 102, 104 |publisher=Ebony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9s0DAAAAMBAJ&q=%22night+train%22+lane&pg=PA102}}</ref> After his discharge from the Army, Lane worked in an aircraft plant in Los Angeles, lifting heavy sheets of metal out of a bin and placing them into a press.<ref name=Where/>

==Professional career==
===Los Angeles Rams===
====Signing and nickname====
While working at the aircraft plant in Los Angeles, Lane passed the [[Los Angeles Rams]] offices on his bus ride to work.<ref name=Where/> He walked into the office with a scrapbook of clippings in 1952 and asked for a tryout.<ref name=Where/><ref name="Sportraits">{{Cite news |last=Al Wolf |date=July 26, 1953 |title=Sportraits |page=65 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6816004/sportraits/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was recommended to the Rams by [[George Sims (American football)|Gabby Sims]] and signed as a free agent.<ref name=LAT52/> Lane initially tried out as a receiver, the position he had played at Fort Ord, but was switched to a defensive back by the Rams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dick "Night Train" Lane Hall of Fame Biography |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/players/dick-night-train-lane/biography/ |access-date=September 29, 2016 |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame}}</ref> In the Rams' first scrimmage on August 3, 1952, Lane drew praise as "the outstanding player in the scrimmage by a country mile" due to his "ferocious" approach to the game and his speed in chasing down [[Elroy Hirsch]].<ref name="LAT52">{{Cite news |last=Frank Finch |date=August 4, 1952 |title=Stydahar Groans Over Rams' Play in First Squad Scrum at Redlands |page=IV.2 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6815477/stydahar_groans_over_rams_play_in/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> After the scrimmage, Rams head coach [[Joe Stydahar]] said, "Lane came out here to make the ball club. Well, last night he got himself a job."<ref name=LAT52/>

Lane acquired the nickname "Night Train" during his first training camp with the Rams. Teammate [[Tom Fears]] had a record player in his room and frequently played the record, "[[Night Train (Jimmy Forrest composition)|Night Train]]", by [[Jimmy Forrest (musician)|Jimmy Forrest]]. The record was released in March 1952 and was the [[List of Billboard number-one rhythm and blues hits|#1 R&B hit]] for seven weeks.<ref name=LAT52/><ref name=Sportraits/> According to an account published by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' in August 1952, "Whenever Fears plays it Lane can be found in the hall outside Tom's room dancing to the music."<ref name=LAT52/> Lane was initially uncomfortable with the racial implication of the nickname, which had been bestowed on him by his white teammates, but he embraced it after a newspaper reported on his performance against [[Washington Redskins]] star [[Choo Choo Justice]] with the headline, "Night Train Derails Choo Choo".<ref name=Austin1/>

====1952 season====
As a rookie in [[1952 Los Angeles Rams season|1952]], Lane appeared in all 12 regular season games and broke the NFL single-season record with 14 interceptions. He also led the league with 298 interception return yards and two interceptions returned for touchdowns.<ref name=PFR/> In his first NFL game, a 37–7 loss to the [[1952 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]], Lane was credited by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' with playing "a positively sensational game at defensive halfback (he made about 50% of the tackles)."<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1952 |title=Browns Outclass Rams, 37-7, Before 57,832 |page=54 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6815856/browns_outclass_rams/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> On December 7, 1952, he intercepted three passes in a 45–27 victory over the [[1952 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], including an 80-yard return of a pass from [[Tobin Rote]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frank Finch |date=December 8, 1952 |title=Rams Roar Over Packers, 45 to 27: Lane Runs 80 Yards for Score |page=81 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6815071/rams_roar_over_packers_45_to_27_lane/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The following week, he intercepted three more passes in a 28–14 victory over the [[1952 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]], including one that he returned 42 yards for a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1952 |title=Rams Hand Steelers 28-14 Beating to Tie for Crown |page=78 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6815385/rams_hand_steelers_2814_beating_to_tie/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> However, he sprained an ankle after making his third interception against the Steelers and was lost to the Rams for their playoff game against the [[1952 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1952 |title=Lane's Injury Dims Ram Victory Party |page=77 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6815310/lanes_injury_dims_ram_victory_pary/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The NFL later prepared a list of the greatest single-season performances of all time and ranked Lane's 1952 season fourth on that list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top Ten Season Performances |url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d8074340e/Top-Ten-Season-Performance-Dick-Night-Train-Lane |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

====1953 season====
After Lane blocked two field-goal attempts during a July 1953 scrimmage, Rams coach [[Hamp Pool]] said, "Night Train has the reflexes of a cat. It just doesn't seem possible that a man can come in from so far out and get in front of the ball in a matter of a couple of seconds."<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 24, 1953 |title=Lane, Agajian Star in Workout |page=59 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6816104/lane_agajanian_star_in_workout/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> During the [[1953 Los Angeles Rams season|1953 season]], Lane appeared in 11 games for the Rams, but he intercepted only three passes.<ref name=PFR/>  The highlight of his 1953 season was a blocked field goal against the [[1953 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]; Lane blocked the kick at the Rams' 25-yards line, caught it on the bounce 45 yards downfield, and returned it for a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1953 |title=Rams Trounce Packers, 33-17 |page=82 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6816290/rams_trounce_packers/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

===Chicago Cardinals===
Lane had signed with the Rams for $4,500. After the two seasons he had with the Rams, he was offered a $2,500 salary increase. He then said it wasn't enough money in his view and that they should trade him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1985/03/10/for-night-train-lane-nfl-has-changed-but-not-enough/|title=FOR 'NIGHT TRAIN' LANE, NFL HAS CHANGED–BUT NOT ENOUGH|website=Sun-sentinel.com|date=March 10, 1985}}</ref> Not long after, in January 1954, the Rams traded Lane to the [[History of the Arizona Cardinals#Chicago years (1898–1959)|Chicago Cardinals]] in a three-team deal that also involved [[Don Doll]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1954 |title=Rams Obtain Doll, Peters in Triple Deal, Lose Lane |page=86 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6816371/rams_obtain_doll_peters_in_triple/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> During the [[1954 Chicago Cardinals season|1954 season]], Lane appeared in all 12 regular season games for the Cardinals and again led the NFL in both interceptions (10) and interception return yards (181).<ref name=PFR/> Lane was occasionally used as a receiver by the Cardinals, and on November 13, 1955, he caught a pass from [[Ogden Compton]], a play that covered 98 yards, the second longest pass in NFL history up to that time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1955 |title=Bays Even Slate at 4-4, Gain in Race |page=21 |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6816878/bays_even_slate/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Lane remained with the Cardinals for six seasons from 1954 through 1959, appearing in 68 games and intercepting 30 passes.<ref name=PFR/> During his years with the Cardinals, Lane received All-NFL honors in 1954 (AP and UPI second team), 1955 (UPI second team), 1956 (AP and UPI first team), 1957 (''Sporting News'' first team), 1958 (AP second team), 1959 ([[Newspaper Enterprise Association|NEA]] first team).<ref name=PFR/> He was also invited to play in the [[Pro Bowl]] in 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1958.<ref name=PFR/>

===Detroit Lions===
On August 22, 1960, the Cardinals traded Lane to the [[1960 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] in exchange for lineman [[Gerry Perry]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 23, 1960 |title=Lions Get Help for Defense: Perry Sent Out For Dick Lane |page=25 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6817142/lions_get_help_for_defense_perry_sent/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Lions great [[Joe Schmidt (American football)|Joe Schmidt]] later called it "one of the greatest trades that will ever be made in any sport."<ref name=Where/> At the time of the trade, Lions head coach [[George Wilson (American football coach)|George Wilson]] noted: "He has a reputation as a gambler. We are aware of that but he still has speed and experience."<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 23, 1960 |title=Lions Get Help for Defense |page=27 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6817169/lions_get_help_for_defense/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In the Lions' first win of the [[1960 Detroit Lions season|1960 season]], a 30–17 victory over the [[1960 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]], Lane intercepted a [[Johnny Unitas]] pass and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown, quickly becoming a fan favorite in Detroit.<ref>{{Cite news |last=George Puscas |date=October 25, 1960 |title=Lose or Win ... Wilson Missing |page=29 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821937/lose_or_win_wilson_missing/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 24, 1960 |title=Game Icer for Detroit |work=Lansing State Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6751702/lane_photo_1960/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In his first two seasons with the Lions, Lane intercepted 11 passes for 175 return yards.<ref name=PFR/> In all, Lane played six seasons with the Lions from 1960 to 1965, appearing in 66 games with 21 interceptions for 272 yards. During his time with the Lions, Lane received All-NFL honors in 1960 (UPI, NEA, and ''Sporting News'' first team), 1961 (AP, NEA, and ''Sporting News'' first team), 1962 (AP, UPI, ''Sporting News'', and NEA first team), 1963 (UPI and ''Sporting News'' first team).<ref name=PFR/>  He was also invited to play in the Pro Bowl in 1960, 1961, and 1962.<ref name=PFR/>

Lane appeared in the [[1962 Pro Bowl]] despite suffering from [[appendicitis]]. Weakened and in pain, he blocked an extra point kick and intercepted a [[Y. A. Tittle]] pass and returned it 42 yards for the West All-Stars. He checked into a Los Angeles hospital the next day and had his appendix removed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1962 |title=Night Train: Now It Can Be Told! |page=30 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821429/night_train_now_it_can_be_told/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 15, 1962 |title=Unitas Pass Beats East |page=29 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821711/unitas_pass_beats_east/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In early July 1963, Lane married jazz singer [[Dinah Washington]] and began serving as her business manager, leading to reports that he might not continue his football career.  However, he signed a contract with the Lions in late July.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1963 |title=Night Train Lane Signs With Lions |page=2D |work=The Fresno Bee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821544/night_train_lane_signs_with_lions/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Lane intercepted five passes and recovered two fumbles in 14 games for the [[1963 Detroit Lions season|1963 Lions]].<ref name=PFR/>

Lane was hampered by injuries after the 1963 season. In August 1964, he was injured in a pre-season game, had surgery on his knee, and was out of action for the first part of the 1964 season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 21, 1964 |title=Lane Lost To Lions 6 Weeks |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821286/lane_lost_to_lions_6_weeks/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 22, 1964 |title=Lane OK After Knee Surgery |page=6 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821253/lane_ok_after_knee_surgery/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Lane ultimately appeared in seven games for the [[1964 Detroit Lions season|1964 Lions]], managing only one interception, the lowest total of his career up to that point.<ref name=PFR/>

On September 7, 1965, after undergoing off-season knee surgery, Lane, at age 37, was released by the Lions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1965 |title=Joe Don Is AWOL From Lions |page=2C |work=Detroit Lions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821049/night_train_released/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> When no other team claimed him, Lane returned to the Lions as a [[taxi squad]] player.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 11, 1965 |title=Lions Put Lane on Taxi Squad |page=1C |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821092/lions_put_lane_on_taxi_squad/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was returned to the active lineup on October 20, 1965,<ref>{{Cite news |last=George Puscas |date=October 21, 1965 |title=Night Train Back To Help Lions |page=1F |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821121/night_train_back_to_help_lions/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> appearing in seven games with no interceptions for the first time in his career.<ref name=PFR/>

===Ferocious tackler===
Lane was known as a ferocious tackler, and his style of play led to changes in the rules of the game.  In 1961, he tackled [[Jon Arnett]] by the face mask as he ran at full speed down the field.  Arnett lay motionless on the field after the tackle, and the play left a lasting impression.<ref>{{Cite news |last=George Puscas |date=July 28, 1974 |title='Train' Was a Special Sort of Cat |page=6E |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6817809/train_was_a_special_sort_of_cat/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>  The following year, the NFL adopted a rule prohibiting the grasping of an opponent's face mask.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Evolution of the rules: from hashmarks to crackback blocks |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000224872/article/evolution-of-the-rules-from-hashmarksto-crackback-blocks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928034358/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000224872/article/evolution-of-the-rules-from-hashmarksto-crackback-blocks |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2014 |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

Lane's practice of tackling opponents about the head and neck, which was then a legal technique, was sometimes called a "Night Train Necktie". It later became known as a clothesline tackle and prohibited.<ref name="Feared">{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=Top Ten Most Feared Tacklers |url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d81118473/Top-10-Most-Feared-Tacklers-Dick-Night-Train-Lane |access-date=September 28, 2016 |publisher=NFL Films}}</ref> He later explained the rationale for his practice of necktie tackling:<blockquote>My object is to stop the guy before he gains another inch. ... [I]f I hit them in the legs they may fall forward for a first down. ... I grab them around the neck so I can go back to the bench and sit down.<ref name=Trip/></blockquote>

In 2009, a film produced by the NFL ranked Lane No. 2 on its list (behind [[Dick Butkus]]) of the most feared tacklers in league history. The film also credited Lane's practices with the prohibition of clothesline tackles.<ref name=Feared/>

In the book ''[[Paper Lion]]'' by [[George Plimpton]], former Detroit Lions assistant coach [[Aldo Forte]] recalled a hit that Lane placed on then New York Giants quarterback [[Y. A. Tittle]] in 1962 that literally "knocked the plays out of his head",<ref>Paper Lion, Plimpton, 40th anniversary edition, pg. 136.</ref> rendering the quarterback unable to remember any of the Giants' plays until after halftime.

===Career accomplishments and honors===
During his 14 years in the NFL, Lane recorded 68 interceptions, 1,207 interception return yards, and five touchdowns on interception.  He also recovered 11 fumbles, returning them for 57 yards and one touchdown. From 1954 to 1963, he was selected as a first-team All-NFL player seven times and played in seven [[Pro Bowl]]s.<ref name=PFR/>  His single-season record of 14 interceptions still stands despite the lengthening of the NFL season from 12 to 14 to 16 and eventually 17 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Single-Season Interceptions Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/def_int_single_season.htm |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}</ref> Lane's 68 career interceptions ranked second in NFL history at the time of his retirement(The Giants' [[Emlen Tunnell]] had more, with 79) and still ranks fourth in NFL history as of the end of the 2023-24 NFL season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Interceptions Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/def_int_career.htm |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}</ref> His 1,207 interception return yards also ranked second in NFL history when he retired(Also behind Tunnell, who had 1,282) and still ranks sixth in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Interception Return Yards Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/def_int_yds_career.htm |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}</ref> His 298 interception return yards in 1952 was three yards short of the NFL record at the time(The Lions' [[Don Doll]], who had 301 return yards in 1949) and remains the seventh best single-season total in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Single-Season Interception Return Yards Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/def_int_yds_single_season.htm |access-date=September 28, 2016 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC}}</ref>

Lane has received numerous honors for his contributions to the sport. His honors include the following:
* In September 1969, Lane was one of 16 players named to the all-time All-Pro team selected by the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 7, 1969 |title=Night Train Lane Picked On Pros' All-Time Team |page=3E |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818201/night_train_lane_picked_on_pros/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was also named to the [[National Football League 1950s All-Decade Team|NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team]] in August 1969.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 31, 1969 |title=Graham, Huff on All-1950s Pro Football Selections |page=6C |work=Racine Sunday Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4582506/graham_huff_on_all1950s_pro_football/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
* In February 1974, Lane was named to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jack Saylor |date=February 6, 1974 |title=It's Hall of Fame for Night Train |page=1D |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6817919/its_hall_of_fame_for_night_train/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> At the induction ceremony in July 1974, Lane was introduced by his high school coach W. E. Pigford. In his speech, Lane spoke out against the NFL's treatment of African Americans as "stepchildren" and added, "I hope the black players will band together to deal with the problem of no black coaches, no black managers and few black quarterbacks in pro football."<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1974 |title=Famer Lane Has a Message |page=1E |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818115/famer_lane_has_a_message/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
* In January 1988, Lane was named to the [[Michigan Sports Hall of Fame]]. At the time, he said, "I was feeling a little put out about having to wait more than 10 years after getting into the pro Hall of Fame to get into the state, but I'm happy that I'm finally in."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drew Sharp |date=January 26, 1988 |title=Overdue 'Train' happy to reach Hall of Fame |page=1D |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818535/overdue_train_happy_to_reach_hall_of/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
* In August 1994, he was named to the [[National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]] selected by a 15-person panel of NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame officials, former players, and media representatives. He was the only former Detroit Lions player so honored.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 24, 1994 |title=Very Best of the NFL |page=1D |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818249/the_very_best_of_the_nfl/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
* In August 1999, Lane was ranked number 20 on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, making him the highest-ranked defensive back, the Cardinals' highest-ranked player and the Lions' second highest-ranked player after [[Barry Sanders]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 15, 1999 |title=untitled |page=3D |work=Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4376402/sporting_news_top_100_football_players/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
* In 2001, Lane was inducted into the [[Texas Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inductees |url=http://www.tshof.org/inductees/ |access-date=September 28, 2016 |publisher=Texas Sports Hall of Fame |archive-date=September 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930041141/http://www.tshof.org/inductees/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* In August 2006, Lane became one of eight charter inductees into the [[Arizona Cardinals]]' Ring of Honor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 2006 |title=Honors scheduled |page=C5 |work=The Arizona Republic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818360/honors_scheduled/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
* In 2020, Lane was named to the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"|Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec;"|
| Led the league
|-
| style="background:#E0CEF2;"|
| NFL record
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan=3|General
! colspan=4|Interceptions
|-
! Year
! Team
! GP
! Int
! Yds
! TD
! Lng
|-
! {{NFL year|1952}}
! [[1952 Los Angeles Rams season|LAR]]
| 12
| style="background:#E0CEF2;"|'''14'''
| style="background:#cfecec;"|'''298'''
| style="background:#cfecec;"|'''2'''
| 80
|-
! {{NFL year|1953}}
! [[1953 Los Angeles Rams season|LAR]]
| 11
| 3
| 9
| 0
| 8
|-
! {{NFL year|1954}}
! [[1954 Chicago Cardinals season|CHC]]
| 12
| style="background:#cfecec;"|10
| style="background:#cfecec;"|181
| 0
| 64
|-
! {{NFL year|1955}}
! [[1955 Chicago Cardinals season|CHC]]
| 12
| 6
| 69
| 0
| 26
|-
! {{NFL year|1956}}
! [[1956 Chicago Cardinals season|CHC]]
| 12
| 7
| 206
| 1
| 66
|-
! {{NFL year|1957}}
! [[1957 Chicago Cardinals season|CHC]]
| 8
| 2
| 47
| 0
| 33
|-
! {{NFL year|1958}}
! [[1958 Chicago Cardinals season|CHC]]
| 12
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
|-
! {{NFL year|1959}}
! [[1959 Chicago Cardinals season|CHC]]
| 12
| 3
| 125
| style="background:#cfecec;"|1
| 69
|-
! {{NFL year|1960}}
! [[1960 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 12
| 5
| 102
| 1
| '''80'''
|-
! {{NFL year|1961}}
! [[1961 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 12
| 6
| 73
| 0
| 32
|-
! {{NFL year|1962}}
! [[1962 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 14
| 4
| 16
| 0
| 13
|-
! {{NFL year|1963}}
! [[1963 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 14
| 5
| 70
| 0
| 33
|-
! {{NFL year|1964}}
! [[1964 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 7
| 1
| 11
| 0
| 11
|-
! {{NFL year|1965}}
! [[1965 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 7
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-
! colspan=2|Career
! 157
! 68
! 1,207
! 5
! 80
|}

==Post-NFL career==
[[File:Night_Train_Lane_1997.jpg|thumb|Lane in 1997]]
After retiring from professional football, Lane worked for the Detroit Lions in various administrative positions. He was the first African American to work in the Lions' front office. In February 1972, Lane quit his job with the Lions to become an assistant football coach at [[Southern University]], a historically black university in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 1972 |title=Lane Moves to Southern U.: Night Train Quits the Lions |page=3D |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818775/lane_moves_to_southern_u_night_train/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He left Southern University in June 1973 to become an admissions counselor and assistant football coach at [[Central State University]], a historically black university in [[Wilberforce, Ohio]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1973 |title='Night Train' Shifts Jobs |page=5E |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818803/night_train_shifts_jobs/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 31, 1973 |title='Night Train' Has A Coaching Dream |page=1D |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818818/night_train_has_a_coaching_dream/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In January 1974, he resigned his position at Central State to accept a job in Los Angeles as a bodyguard and personal assistant for television star, [[Redd Foxx]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1974 |title=Groza, Lane make Canton |page=6 |work=The Xenia (OH) Daily Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818968/groza_lane_make_canton/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="Scott">{{Cite news |date=February 8, 1974 |title=Former Scottsbluff college gridster will be honored |page=10 |work=The Columbus Telegram (Columbus, Nebraska)}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ron Roach |date=February 7, 1974 |title=Pro Ball, Then Degree For Night Train |page=B3 |work=Alexandria Daily Town Talk (AP story) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818946/pro_ball_then_degree_for_night_train/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In October 1975, Lane was hired to manage Detroit's [[Police Athletic League]].<ref name=Ebony/><ref name="Trip">{{Cite news |date=November 28, 1975 |title=A Trip With Night Lane |page=6 |work=The Sun-Telegram |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6819135/a_trip_with_night_train_lane/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He remained in charge of the program for 17 years and oversaw its expansion to 16 centers with 20,000 participants.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steve Crowe |date=April 23, 1987 |title=Lane urges youths to find PAL |page=5A |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6819389/lane_urges_youths_to_find_pal/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He retired from the post at the end of 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1993 |title=Night Train Lane to be honored, roasted by PAL |page=4B |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6819412/night_train_lane_to_be_honored_roasted/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 1993 |title=A Richard (Night Train) Lane Salute |page=2F |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6820965/a_richard_night_train_lane_salute/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Lane was married three times. He married his first wife, Geraldine Dandridge, in April 1951.  The couple separated in August 1962 and was divorced in January 1963.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 30, 1963 |title=Night Train Gets Divorce |page=D3 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6821373/night_train_gets_divorce/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=Ebony/>

In July 1963, Lane married jazz singer [[Dinah Washington]] at a ceremony in Las Vegas.  It was the sixth marriage for Washington and the second for Lane.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 3, 1963 |title=Night Train, Dinah Wed |page=2C |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6820607/night_train_dinah_wed/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> On December 14, 1963, Lane discovered Washington dead at their home at 4002 Buena Vista Street in Detroit with a bottle of prescription pills on the night stand beside her.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1963 |title=Singer Dinah Washington Dies |page=3 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6820674/singer_dinah_washington_dies/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In 1964, Lane married school teacher Mary Cowser,<ref name=Jet/> who in 1955 became the first African-American woman to appear in [[Coca-Cola]] advertisements.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 4, 2007 |title=Resident was first black woman in Coca-Cola ads |work=Ocala Star Banner |url=http://www.ocala.com/news/20070904/resident-was-first-black-woman-in-coca-cola-ads}}</ref> They had a son, Richard Ladimir Lane, who was born in 1965.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Helpers |first=Marian |title=Lutheran Convert: Richard Lane |url=http://whyimcatholic.com/index.php/conversion-stories/protestant-converts/lutheran/23-lutheran-convert-richard-lane |access-date=2019-03-11 |website=Whyimcatholic.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> The marriage ended in divorce after ten years.<ref name=Ebony/><ref name="Jet">{{Cite news |date=September 10, 1964 |title='Night Train' Lane To Wed Detroit Schoolteacher |page=55 |work=Jet |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2sIDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22night+train%22+lane&pg=PA55}}</ref>

In 1994, Lane moved from Detroit back to his hometown of [[Austin, Texas]].<ref name=Austin3/> Due to reduced mobility from diabetes and knee injuries, he spent the last two years of his life at the Five Star Assisted Living facility in North Austin.<ref name="Austin4">{{Cite news |last=Rick Cantu |date=January 31, 2002 |title=Austinite was one of NFL's greatest players |work=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref> He died there from a heart attack in January 2002 at age 73,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Goldstein (writer, born 1942) |date=February 2002 |title=Night Train Lane, 73, N.F.L. Defensive Star |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/01/sports/night-train-lane-73-nfl-defensive-star.html |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> after playing dominoes and while listening to jazz in his room.<ref name=Austin4/> His family believed that he also suffered from [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]] (CTE) brought on by football-related brain injuries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ian O'Connor |date=February 3, 2016 |title=Another CTE case, another reason football needs dramatic change |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14701874/kenny-stabler-cte-diagnosis-why-football-needs-dramatic-change-nfl}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* {{Official website|http://www.cmgww.com/football/lane/}}
* {{Profootballhof|120|Dick Lane}}
* {{Find a Grave|6522261|Dick Lane}}
*{{commonscatinline}}

{{NFL season interception leaders}}
{{Los Angeles Rams 40th Anniversary Team}}
{{NFL1950s}}
{{NFL50}}
{{NFL75}}
{{NFL100}}
{{Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor}}
{{Pride of the Lions}}
{{Lions75th}}
{{Detroit Lions All-Time Team}}
{{1974 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lane, Dick}}
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:American football cornerbacks]]
[[Category:Central State Marauders football coaches]]
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[[Category:Southern Jaguars football coaches]]
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[[Category:Eastern Conference Pro Bowl players]]
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[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Korean War]]
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[[Category:Players of American football from Austin, Texas]]
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[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
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