[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 10 (Friday, February 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF RICHARD ``NIGHT TRAIN'' LANE

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am delighted to rise today to 
acknowledge the life of Richard Lane, a National Football League player 
who finished his career playing for the Detroit Lions, who passed away 
Tuesday, January 29th. Richard ``Night Train'' Lane possessed great 
athletic capabilities, a passion for the game and played the game of 
football like no one else. He is still recognized by many as one of the 
greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game.
  Through hard work and an unwavering commitment to the game of 
football, Night Train Lane's skill has made an indelible mark on the 
annals of football history. At six feet, two inches and 210 pounds, he 
will be remembered for hounding wide receivers with his trademark 
tackle, the Night Train Necktie.
  Upon graduating from High School, Night Train attended Scottsbluff 
Junior College, where he played football for one season. After a year 
in college, he served four years in the United States Army. He played 
wide receiver for service teams during his time in the Army and was 
spotted by a Los Angeles Rams scout during an Army exhibition game. In 
1952, upon his discharge from the Army, Night Train was invited to drop 
by the Rams training camp for a try out.
  In his rookie season with the Rams, he had 14 interceptions in a 12 
game season, a record that has stood for 50 years despite the NFL 
season schedule increasing to 16 games. After starting his career with 
the Rams, he was traded to the Chicago Cardinals, and later traded to 
the Detroit Lions. Over the course of his 14 year career, he made 68 
interceptions, five for touchdowns. His career interception return 
yards total of 1,207 is still second in NFL history.
  After retiring from the NFL, Lane worked in the front office of the 
Detroit Lions, and was later head coach of both Southern University and 
Central State University. He later returned to Detroit to become 
executive director of the Police Athletic League, a sports program for 
at-risk children in Detroit. Night Train Lane's hard work and 
tremendous ability has been recognized by his peers who elected him to 
the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974 and to the 75th anniversary all-
time team in 1994.
  I hope my Senate colleagues will join me in saluting Night Train Lane 
for his extraordinary career in the National Football League, his 
honorable service to our nation and his work with the children of 
Detroit.

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