NFL Athlete Number 81 - Dick "Night Train" Lane

The man who The Sporting News picked as the number 19 overall football player of all-time, in 1999, is also the best NFL athlete to ever wear the uniform number 81.

Dick "Night Train" Lane, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974, was an exciting cornerback, who played for the Rams, Cardinals and Lions. Yeah, he was a cornerback who wore number 81. Was that by design? Nah. He was slotted to become a tight end, but wound up playing defense. He kept the uni number.

As a rookie, Dick Lane had 14 interceptions. As a ROOKIE! See any rookies getting 14 interceptions lately?

For his career, he had 68 interceptions for 1,207 yards and 5 TDs.