CB Night Train Lane – L.A. Rams, 1952-1953
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Dick “Night Trian” Lane was a defensive back for the Rams for a short time. But those two magical seasons allowed him to earn a place in Rams lore and in the record books. Lane still holds the record for most interceptions in a regular season. He nabbed 14 interceptions in just 12 games as a rookie cornerback for the Rams in 1952, including two of which were returned for touchdowns. Lane was traded to the Chicago Cardinals in 1954 where he spent six seasons. He then finished his career with the Detroit Lions for six seasons until retiring in 1965.
Lane played for Scottsbluff Junior College (now known as Western Nebraska Community College). After one season, he joined the U.S. Army and played three seasons with the Fort Ord, California football team. While at Fort Ord, Lane caught 18 touchdown passes as a receiver and attracted the attention of the San Francisco 49ers, but they did not offer him a contract. After his time in the Army, Lane worked at an aircraft plant in Los Angeles. Unhappy with his job, he decided to try out for the Rams in 1952. The Rams were stacked at the receiver positions with Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, Tom Fears and Bob Boyd, so they put Lane on defense as a corner. He became one of the greatest defensive backs of all time.
Lane was notorious for his tackling ability. He perfected the infamous “Night Train Necktie,” a clothesline tackle that was eventually banned by the league in later years. Lane currently has the fourth most interceptions in the league history with 68. He is a seven-time First-Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. Lane was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
