Dick (Night Train) Lane 2002 Deaths

Dick (Night Train) Lane

undrafted junior college player and former Army soldier, who left his job at an airplane plant to tryout with the LA. Rams in 1952, launching a career that would eventually make him one of the best cornerbacks in NFL history; his record 14 interceptions in 1952 has stood for 50 years and occurred during a 12-game season his rookie year; his 68 career interceptions is third all-time; nickname borrowed from a Buddy Morrow Orchestra recording and given to him by Rams teammates Tom Fears and Ben Sheets; played 14 NFL seasons with the Rams, Chicago Cardinals and Detroit Lions; six-time Pro Bowl selection; played junior college football and spent four years in the U.S. Army before his Rams tryout; selected all-time cornerback by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969; member of the NFL's 75th anniversary team; inducted into Pro Football Hall of fame in 1974. He died of a heart attack.