Richard “Night Train” Lane is one of the most legendary players in NFL history. He was a hard-hitting, ball-hawking cornerback who terrorized opposing offenses for 14 seasons. Lane’s story is one of determination, resilience, and sheer talent, and his legacy is one that will endure for generations to come.
Early Life and High School Career
Richard “Night Train” Lane was born in 1928 in Austin, Texas, to a prostitute and a pimp, who abandoned him in a dumpster when he was three months old. He was adopted by Ella Lane, who raised him along with her four other children. Lane grew up poor and worked in a laundry business his mother ran from home. Lane attended L.C. Anderson High School, where he played football and basketball.
After graduation, Lane lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with his birth mother for a while, where he played for the Negro League Omaha Rockets, a farm team of the Kansas City Monarchs. After playing baseball for two years, Lane then enrolled at Scottsbluff Junior College in Nebraska, where he played college football for one season.
Lane then enlisted in the US Army in 1948, where he played on the Fort Ord football team, and received second-team All-Army honors in 1949 and first-team honors in 1951. After his discharge, Lane worked in an aircraft plant in Los Angeles. While working in LA, Lane walked into the office of the Los Angeles Rams with a scrapbook documenting his athletic accomplishments and asked for a tryout. Head Coach Joe Stydahar gave him a spot on the team.
The NFL Years
Lane was an immediate star in the NFL. He had 14 interceptions in his rookie season with the Rams, which is still an NFL record today. From that point on, Lane was a dominant force in the NFL, and he earned a reputation as one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs in the league.
Despite being legendary for his hard-hitting, Lane continued racking up interceptions. In his third season, then with the Chicago Cardinals, he had 10 interceptions. He finished his career with 68 interceptions, which is 4th all-time.
Over the course of his career, Lane played for four different teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs. He was named to the Pro Bowl seven times, and he was a six-time first-team All-Pro selection.
The Legacy of Night Train Lane
Richard “Night Train” Lane’s impact on the game of football is immeasurable. He was a hard-hitting, ball-hawking cornerback who set the standard for defensive backs in the NFL. His physicality and toughness inspired generations of football players, and his talent on the field was unmatched.
In addition to his on-field success, Lane was also a trailblazer for African American athletes. He was one of the first black players to play for the Los Angeles Rams, and his success in the face of discrimination and segregation is an inspiration to many.
Richard “Night Train” Lane was a Texas high school football legend, and his impact on the game is immeasurable. From his early years in Texas, to his success as a player and trailblazer, Lane’s story is one of determination, resilience, and sheer talent. His legacy as a player and mentor will continue to inspire future generations of football players, and his example as a man of courage and perseverance is an inspiration to us all.
