For this reason, the NFL eventually outlawed this “head-hunting” technique. This “rip” often had receivers more concerned about their well-being than the football. Lane’s preferred technique of tackling was to “rip” a receiver down by his neck and head. Many a receiver in the ’50s and ’60s cringed at the prospects of facing the “Night Train” one-on-one. Though his gambling style of play produced many interceptions, it was Lane’s ferocious tackling that is most memorable. Lane also ranks 3rd all-time for career interceptions with 68. Accomplished when the NFL played only a 12-game regular season, this record still stands today. Lane burst onto the NFL scene in 1952 by setting a record for most interceptions in a single season with 14. Both his physical statue and attributes meshed perfectly for a model defensive line player. The Ram’s coach, Joe Stydahar, soon made the decision to move Lane to defense. Fears happened to always play a particular hit record, “Night Train.” As the book “Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Time Greats” explains, “One day, a teammate entered the room, saw Dick and blurted out, ‘Hey there’s Night Train,’ and ‘Night Train Lane” it was from then on.” He gave it his best effort and continually sought advice from Tom Fears in the locker room. Although his efforts and passion for the sport were right on track, would-be Hall of Famers such as Tom Fears and Crazylegs proved to be steep competition for the 6’2” Lane. The offensive line was Lane’s first choice. With only his scrapbook of high school and junior college football clippings, the Rams decided to take a gamble on Lane. By happenstance, he found his way into the Los Angeles Rams office and asked for a tryout. Frustrated with his employment situation, Lane went out to seek other work. Afterwards, he found himself sad and depressed and stuck in a job that he despised – lifting large sheets of oil-covered metal into bins. Lane eventually decided to join the army and served his country as a Lt. Ever the competitor, Lane simply ignored her pleas. Worried about the safety and well-being of her son, Lanes foster mother constantly encouraged him to try other hobbies. She treated him as one of her own, giving him the love and affection that had eluded him for the first three months of his life.Īs Lane grew older, he developed an interest in football and spent many of Austins humid, summer days and nights participating in scrimmages against fellow neighborhood children. She rescued Richard from the dumpster and welcomed him whole-heartedly into her home. She found the infant lying in a dumpster, left for dead. Born to a mother who was a prostitute and a father who was a pimp, Lanes life very well could have ended prematurely, long before he was able to achieve greatness on the football field.Īt three months of age, he was adopted by Ella Lane, a widow with two children. Lanes journey to gridiron glory, however, is a story with many chapters, and it is a story that begins on Apin Austin, Texas. Known around the league for his open-field tackling and cat-like reflexes, Lane was single-handedly responsible for the banishment of the clothesline tackle and still holds the modern-day NFL record for interceptions by a rookie cornerback with 14. Few players in pro-football history instilled more fear in wide receivers or running backs than Dick “Night Train” Lane, whose style of play was one of ferocity, intimidation and raw power.
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