'Night Train' Makes Stop in Another Hall of Fame

Dick “Night Train” Lane, a 14-year standout at defensive back in the National Football League known for intercepting passes and delivering ferocious, hard-hitting tackles, last week was named one of the seven inaugural members of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Hall of Fame.

The product of Scottsbluff (Neb.) Junior College, now known as Western Nebraska Community College, Lane helped the football team to a 5-2-1 record and earned NJCAA All-American honors in 1947. He was the only African American student-athlete on the team.

Lane left Scottsbluff after one year and enlisted in the Army. During his military service, “Night Train” remained active in football, playing for Fort Ord's (Monterey Bay, Calif.) football team. He caught 18 touchdown passes, leading to first-team All-Army honors in 1951.

After his discharge, Lane worked at an aircraft plant in Los Angeles. During his time there, he visited the Rams’ facility and asked for a tryout. With his tremendous talent readily apparent, the Rams signed him to a free agent contract, thus starting his noteworthy career in the NFL in 1952.

As a rookie, Lane started in all 12 games for the Rams. He intercepted 14 passes – setting an NFL single-season record that still stands – and returned them for a league-best 298 yards with two touchdowns.

After two years in Los Angeles, Lane was traded to the Chicago Cardinals, where he spent six seasons before another trade sent him to Detroit. He played six more seasons with the Lions, finishing his NFL career with 68 interceptions – still fourth on the NFL’s all-time list. He earned six All-NFL selections, made seven Pro Bowl appearances and was named to both the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1950s and NFL 100 All-Time Team. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

During his enshrinement, Lane spoke on the treatment of African Americans in the NFL, advocating for more players to speak on the lack of representation among Black coaches, general managers and quarterbacks in pro football.

Lane died in 2002 at the age of 73.

Joining him in the inaugural class of the NJCAA Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., were Larry Brown (football), George E. Killian (NJCAA executive), Bob McAdoo (basketball), John Mitchell (basketball), Lea Plarski (NJCAA executive) and Sheryl Swoopes (basketball).