So nicknamed because of his affinity for Buddy Morrow's hit record, Dick "Night Train" Lane is the best professional athlete to ever wear the jersey number 81. A 1974 enshrinee into the Professional Football Hall of Fame, Lane came to be an NFL player by asking the Los Angeles Rams for a tryout, at the age of 24, after dissatisfaction with his occupation at an aircraft factory.
That request for a tryout with the Rams proved to be an excellent career move for Dick Lane. He parlayed that tryout to a starting position with the Rams' defense. He subsequently went on to set a record in his rookie season with fourteen interceptions. Initially sloted to become an end, Lane was given the jersey number 81, which he continued to wear in his eventual position of defensive back.
Although he began his career with the Rams, Lane was traded to the Chicago Cardinals soon after, and then went on to the Detroit Lions, where he enjoyed much of his success. He was so successful in fact, that in 1999, The Sporting News named Lane number 19 on the list of the NFL's 100 greatest players.
Did you know..........Dick Lane spent four years in the United States Army?
NFL
That request for a tryout with the Rams proved to be an excellent career move for Dick Lane. He parlayed that tryout to a starting position with the Rams' defense. He subsequently went on to set a record in his rookie season with fourteen interceptions. Initially sloted to become an end, Lane was given the jersey number 81, which he continued to wear in his eventual position of defensive back.
Although he began his career with the Rams, Lane was traded to the Chicago Cardinals soon after, and then went on to the Detroit Lions, where he enjoyed much of his success. He was so successful in fact, that in 1999, The Sporting News named Lane number 19 on the list of the NFL's 100 greatest players.
Did you know..........Dick Lane spent four years in the United States Army?
NFL
TO?
ReplyDeleteCarl eller,,,Vikings,,,?
ReplyDeleteThe incredible Tim Brown belongs in this spot.
ReplyDeleteSilver and Black 81 is the best to wear the number.
I came here to at least make an argument for Art Monk in his HOF weekend.
ReplyDeleteOnce I saw who was already, and rightly, here there is no argument to make.
Anyone making an argument otherwise has no business posting. (TO doesn't even belong on the same internet, let alone page, as Night Train Lane.)
Art Monk is a football legend; Dick "Night Train" Lane is a football God.
Oh TO belongs, better get your popcorn ready!! I love me some ME!!
ReplyDeleteT O !!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think Megatron deserves this one...
ReplyDelete