Richard Lane, better known as Dick "Night Train" Lane (April 16, 1928 - January 29, 2002) was an football player, best known as a defensive back for the Detroit Lions. April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). ... 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... Defensive back (DB) is a player in American football whose role is primarily pass coverage; that is, the defensive back will stay near a receiver and try to deflect or intercept any passes thrown to him. ... Conference NFC Division North Founded 1930 Home Field Ford Field City Detroit, Michigan Colors Honolulu blue, silver, and black Head Coach Steve Mariucci All-Time Record (W-L-T) (At Start of 2005 Season) 480-530-32 The Detroit Lions are a National Football League team based in Detroit, Michigan. ...

He was born in Austin, Texas and raised by Ella Lane, a woman who found him as an infant in a dumpster. City nickname: Live Music Capital of the World Location within the state of Texas State Texas Mayor Will Wynn Area  - Land  - Water 669. ...

He was signed in 1952 as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams. He went to the open tryout that led to his signing because he disliked his job in an aircraft factory. In his rookie season he set an NFL single season record for interceptions with 14. While with the Rams he acquired the nickname "Night Train" from a hit record by Buddy Morrow frequently played by his teammate, Tom Fears. He initially didn't like the nickname but it grew on him after it gained national attention. It first appeared in print describing a tackle in a Rams exhibition game: Dick "Night Train" Lane derails Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice. 1952 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The St. ...

He wore number 81, unusual for a defensive back, because he was initially projected as an end. The ends playing in front of him on the Rams, Tom Fears and Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, were stars, so Coach Joe Stydahar tried Lane at defensive back, and a legend was born. Elroy Hirsch (June 17, 1923 - January 28, 2004) was an American football running back and receiver for the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Rockets, nicknamed Crazy Legs for his unusual running style. ...

He was traded to the Chicago Cardinals in 1954 and to the Detroit Lions in 1960, where he played through the end of his career in 1965. The Arizona Cardinals are a National Football League team based in Tempe, Arizona. ... 1954 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Conference NFC Division North Founded 1930 Home Field Ford Field City Detroit, Michigan Colors Honolulu blue, silver, and black Head Coach Steve Mariucci All-Time Record (W-L-T) (At Start of 2005 Season) 480-530-32 The Detroit Lions are a National Football League team based in Detroit, Michigan. ... 1960 was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1965 was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ...

He was particularly noted as a hard hitter, who liked to tackle by the head and neck (a technique outlawed today). This tackle was sometimes called a "Night Train Necktie".

He was selected to six Pro Bowls, and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. In 1969 he was named the best cornerback of the first fifty years of pro football. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is actually the National Football Leagues Hall of Fame. ... 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ...

He was married three times, including his best known marriage to jazz singer Dinah Washington. He was the last of her seven husbands when she died in December, 1963. Dinah Washington (August 29, 1924 - December 14, 1963) an American blues, jazz, and gospel singer. ... 1963 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Links

• Official website (http://www.cmgworldwide.com/football/lane/)
• Obituary (http://slick.org/deathwatch/mailarchive/msg00648.html)
• Detroit Lions page on Lane (http://www.detroitlions.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=3334)