#30: Dick "Night Train" Lane | The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players (2010) | NFL Films

Pro Football Hall of Fame Cornerback Dick "Night Train" Lane comes in at number 30 on NFL Films' "The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players" list produced in 2010.
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[@SolamenteVees]

14 picks in 12 games is absurd. In any era. Legend.

[@fortynights1513]

As a rookie no less

[@SaiquanCanty]

Back when NFL teams ran the ball a lot more than they passed.

[@raytempus4212]

And they usually only threw on 3rd down back then, 3rd and long at that. 20 int’s in today’s game. 24 come to think of it.

[@MrWinklbauer]

Will never be broken

[@NuggzBunny420]

Not trying to downplay its impressiveness but they were taking WRs out and he kinda invented jumping the route. The QBs didnt really get that at that time

[@MrBigturk34]

Imagine this guy playing now lmao... Net Worth : -10 billion $ in fines

[@TheTeremaster]

People get fined just for thinking about tackling like that, bloody hell

[@beatlejim64]

You could hit like that in the late 1950's early 1960's. He was great...best at the position!!!

[@sw1tch60]

Now I really wanna get in NFL and hit people till I break my bones

[@olliorton6254]

That would be hard for him bc he's dead

[@pre-jordanbasketballfan7429]

I would pay to see him tackle Brady. That would be great

[@impassable]

He was walk on. He came out of the army and was working at an airplane factory. He used to pass the Rams camp everyday going to work. One day he asked for a tryout...He was 24 when he began playing in the NFL

[@JACPOT3rddd]

impassable that’s insane

[@nancypine9952]

@@JACPOT3rddd But true. He'd played in junior college, and when he was in the army he'd played on a couple of Army teams that would be put together to play local colleges and semi-pro teams. So he had a scrapbook of newspaper articles and showed it to the Rams, and they agreed to give him a tryout. The coach decided he looked more like a defensive player than a receiver, and in his tryout he ripped the ball out of the hands of their best receiver, and everyone on the field stopped and stared, so they signed him. Crazy times.

[@SldOnEmWithDa45]

impassable If only it were that easy today 😂

[@miguele9759]

He was also abandoned by his parents when they threw him in a dumpster until he was found

[@_SayitAintSo]

@@miguele9759 wtf...

[@icetray2727]

The guy that invented the pick 6

[@johnshepard313]

And the reason there's a facemask penalty, and closelining Lmao that's insane

[@radar0412]

I always thought Dak Prescott invented the pick 6?

[@opticszn2905]

radar0412 😂

[@topramen1694]

@@radar0412 Hah! Bruuuh

[@vincent94348]

Shut up

[@joeypinheiro1268]

14 int in 12 games wow!!!!

[@bayarea510]

Joey Pinheiro - Incredible

[@JakeSmith-rv1hm]

In his rookie year no less

[@mikeandmars2345]

Joey Pinheiro right

[@johnvallery5539]

Only 30 on the all time greatest list is a robbery

[@emorr747]

Watching this film right here, it just looked like he was just a superior athlete compared to everyone else

[@351974gordon24]

Night train lane is not only the greatest nickname in NFL history, but he is arguably the greatest Lions defensive player ever.

[@adnjxn6465]

Ace High not a lions fan but are their really any other contenders

[@alexreis7394]

Eagle_ fan101 megaton and barry sanders are very close ...

[@lastgennikolai5376]

@@alexreis7394 not defensive tho

[@adnjxn6465]

Khastings I’m taking about defensively

[@moryyyyyy]

@@adnjxn6465 speak bruh

[@Alixxusa]

From 2:53 to 2:57 his foot landed perfectly on every line. Not important just caught my attention

[@onthaticeburg_ess6542]

Alixxusa 😂

[@Wyndamn]

Great eye for detail.

[@josephschmidt1486]

If I don’t step on all the lines I’m gay- what he was thinking in his head

[@demarcozachery8070]

@@josephschmidt1486 lol

[@nasondeaux441]

Read this as I saw that and 200th like

[@jakeyates946]

Night Train was a class act... We cared for him the last two years of his life. My Dad was there until his last breath. His exit was in Superbowl week. Amazing, amazing man! From his horrible humble beginning as a trash can baby... Fighter extraordinarre!

[@melo8238]

Wow ! He probably had some stories !

[@SolamenteVees]

Incredible! What an honor to help such a legend…

[@PRM862]

Thanks for sharing.

[@WardenSpectreCommander]

The stories you must have heard

[@DaBTEDI]

Never a good tackle below the eyebrows? WHAT A SAVAGE! If I tackle you and break my own arms - that is a good play? 2 Rule changes just for him? BEAST!

[@rainbroanderson9413]

Three, the forearm shiver was later banned as well.

[@theprofessor8589]

You're gay. 'What a savage'?? Please, go see Dr. Phil!!

[@Matthew-qy7op]

He's not a beast for playing dirty. He's an ass. Real football players tackle with beauty, technique and toughness. Night Train was well known for taking plays off and getting beat deep when he relied on his exploits to intercept the ball.

[@brutismaximus1]

It ain't dirty if it's legal.

[@Mike-md8oi]

it wasn't considered dirty at the time it only became illegal because he was too good at it and there is no such thing as beauty in football

[@nujeru99]

Night Train Lane was a complete BEAST. He could cover you like "white on rice", and he could hit you like an 18-wheeler truck...oh and had the speed of a wide receiver. His record of 14 INTs in a season is never gonna be broken, oh and he set that record AS A ROOKIE. And that was an era where guys didn't throw the ball 50 times a game like today

[@jonathanblaze1648]

And, it was in a 12 game season!

[@Titanbrotha00]

Preach

[@bambambi22]

CJ Bourne he finna be on wr’s like white on rice in a glass of milk on a plate in a snowstorm

[@austi16]

The qb with the least int thrown his rookie year had 19 lol there’s some in the 30s in 12 games lol

[@Rodanguirus]

"he could hit you like an 18-wheeler truck" Come on...he has one of the most badass nicknames in sports history and that's the "giant vehicle" analogy you use?

[@JoeL-kn9tc]

My dad took me to a Lions game when I was a kid. Night Train Lane intercepted a pass deep in Lions territory at our end of the field. He instantly took off like a bullet all the way for a touchdown. He could run! The crowd was roaring all the way. It was beautiful.

[@slumpyouova4161]

What year was it

[@JoeL-kn9tc]

@@slumpyouova4161 1960. He was also a ferocious tackler. He was great.

[@slumpyouova4161]

@@JoeL-kn9tc how old are u

[@JoeL-kn9tc]

@@slumpyouova4161 71 years old.

[@slumpyouova4161]

@@JoeL-kn9tc oh okay

[@auerod]

How can the greatest cornerback ever be only #30? He was big, tall, fast, vicious and came in to tackle running backs. He was completely modern and could play in 2021. He should be in top 10 easily.

[@matthewcrispin4070]

Not to mention he made 14 interceptions in a 12 game season during his rookie year.

[@kingyoung3192]

1000000000%

[@jerrygleeson4769]

While I agree Night Train Lane would have been fined a few times in today's game, I think he would have adjusted and blown out several opposing ACL's instead.

[@nrkgalt]

Jerry Gleeson Nowadays, the chest is pretty much the only area one can hit a player. As such, he may have broken some guys’ ribs.

[@CinemaFan777]

No doubt. They changed the rule twice on him, and he still kept racking up brutal tackles and INTs.

[@kebeast9791]

Dude was a mix of prime time and Dick Butkus

[@claytonwilliam2745]

Every time this guy comes out on Madden and every time he is on my f****** team cuz dude is a f****** beast!!!!

[@jimhardy7673]

I saw him every year he played in the NFL, greatest all around player I ever saw. I have no doubt he would have been great at any position on the field. I met him years later when he only had a year or so left, in my Doctors office ? He spoke to me for five minutes, and even though I was then in my 40's by then, I was thrilled. He gave me a card that had his HOF bust on one side and his NFL stats on the other. I am in my 70's now and I still feel like a little boy when ever I think about it. RIP Night Train, you are missed !

[@jakeyates946]

He was in my parent's care home until he passed. He was an incredible man that really cared for me too! I'm glad you got to meet him! We swapped football cards - Believe it!

[@jerrygutierrez2519]

This guy just got inducted into the hall of fame of my college where he began playing college ball for the first time. He was a monster and is a legend

[@thezdbailey]

Quite possibly the best nickname ever, and it's not like most people think he got it...

[@PlumberWRX]

It's cause he was a was pussy and wouldn't fly on planes

[@rainbroanderson9413]

Say some, some say because he "derailed" Charlie 'Choo Choo' justice, and some say it's from the song "night train" by Jimmie Forrest, which Tim Fears would play in his room and NTL would come and dance to it.

[@bayarea510]

Mrdontmess1996 - He would knock you out for sayin that too. Stupid kid

[@mortensen1961]

So what? Richie Valens was afraid of flying as well. Look what happened the one time he did fly.

[@aaeonkarma3717]

Madden won't fly either, talk so e trash about him too Bucky

[@TheBrotherman88]

Best all around db ever. He got his nickname because he was scared of planes so he'd take the train to the games.

[@alfootball9381]

Joshua Garrett for real ? i thought that was because he hit people like a train.

[@palmerpalmer2068]

Joshua Garrett They literally said how he got his nickname in the video dipshit.

[@buklau6953]

@@palmerpalmer2068 where in the vid?

[@palmerpalmer2068]

@@buklau6953 1:48

[@aaeonkarma3717]

He drinks "Night Train" , then tears peoples heads off, what

[@stefanwicht5566]

14 Picks in 12 Games. That says it all. Greatness.

[@shawa1939]

Madden game introduced me to him, and when I saw videos about him, I was blown away. What a legend!

[@Rustycan5639]

1:38 the quarterback's name is Ogden Compton, #17. This is the only touchdown pass of his career, and the only receiving touchdown of NTL's career. 98 yards for the cardinals in 1955. Just thought it was cool

[@itz-luigi1210]

Awesome fact, thank you

[@bigpapasmurfz6252]

@@itz-luigi1210 Awesome, indeed! Love obscure facts like this. Theyre like hidden gems.

[@beatlejim64]

Best CB to EVER play the game!!!

[@beatlejim64]

Yes...'fraid so....

[@jonathanblaze1648]

I got him #1 and Prime #2,

[@lvnn_good6700]

Jim Cushman Night Train 1 Primetime 2 that's it

[@tarevagalloway8306]

Jim Cushman he's db

[@benselectionforcasting4172]

Deion never made a tackle. That is why Deion is #2

[@pescitheman]

Coolest nickname in NFL history...hands down!

[@soysauce6534]

Imagine setting a season record so amazing people can’t beat it even with 4 extra games to play. What a beast

[@Didyourmomtwice]

5 now

[@Theo-kl7rs]

FACTS

[@georgemcfly3482]

my favorite player of all time.

[@iceman4408]

Night Train was one of my favorites, too.

[@jakeyates946]

Me too! Great man!

[@owengette8089]

We can blame THIS guy for all the flags thrown every three tackles?

[@tevincollins2869]

Owen Gette he should be top 10 if he had 5 rules put in place cause of him

[@MoLiEG89]

Deacon Jones and Night Train Lane are the most terrifying players ever. They didn't want to tackle you, they wanted to burry you.

[@greensmithfootball10]

Deacon Jones called Butkus a maniac

[@kriskierst8633]

My opinion he should be top 10 player of ALL time.. What an athlete!!! 👍

[@gloryboy4975]

One of the hardest hitters to play the game period.

[@blessOTMA]

I see a video like this and I want to cry. Greatness. Greatness is often a decision. You have to have the skills for sure, but it's also a mindset. Night Train!

[@willsonfranklin9619]

How am I supposed to know the video ended without cam newton and that terrible music?

[@veeshallkumballi2551]

right, where's my selection of all 32 teams

[@smokesletsgo8180]

Willson Franklin LMAO I've been thinking that for days

[@supergrover1746]

0:51 was just beautiful

[@danlabowskie9428]

My heavy equipment instructor is Night Train Lane's son. Wow what a hitter.

[@tracelandry4655]

Greatest to ever do it without an argument. No one is better plain and simple

[@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw]

audes sredo no even Sanders

[@pauldudleyvlogs6013]

What a stud of a player. They say football is vicious now need to see more film from this era. This man could do it all.

[@dumisatonyjohnson8145]

Hardest Hitting CB of all time Not to mention He intercepted 14 passes in a 12 game season He changed the game of football 🏈 forever

[@jcdova29]

The coolest nickname of all time. Night train Lane!!!

[@iceman4408]

My Dad said Night Train was a beast. Wish I could have seen him play in person.

[@hectorsoto456]

Best Corner ever

[@RGsmokinthathunnitHMNdawgpound]

not really mel,charles,champ and rod

[@hectorsoto456]

+RG3 #smokingthat3 #10hunnit #BrownSQAUD #MVP They had him #1 for cbs

[@RGsmokinthathunnitHMNdawgpound]

Tom Kramer noooo look kid if you don't notice qb back then passing rating was like 45-65 which is not good so image all the guys that i name played back then

[@RGsmokinthathunnitHMNdawgpound]

the people that i name they can cover and tackle and ff but they will have over 100 interception it they was playing back then

[@hectorsoto456]

+RG3 #smokingthat3 #10hunnit #BrownSQAUD #MVP Yes that is because they didnt do dink and dunks like today. there was no west coast offense then. they also threw less. ints cant be compared across eras. even if they could be its a terrible way to judge someone because look at paul krause. he sure as hell isnt a top 3 safety ever

[@nickszeto1500]

LEGEND

[@robertford3571]

A game changer in football and in society. A very influential and speak your mind black man.

[@RM---]

i think the 14 INTs are a record that will never be broken. even with all the passing in today's game.

[@fuze8896]

If Vontez Burfict played in this era he would be on this list as well

[@CWizzyTV]

😂😂 facts

[@jonasoberholzer720]

14 int's in 12 games is insane!!!

[@jironthunder7519]

in school as a kid, i liked history class. Here is a A+ 100% reason why!!! seeing 2 rule changes in his honor is definatly unique and HOF Quality!!!

[@jackjones6327]

His mind was like, "not dirty play if it's allowed"

[@YOSSARIAN313]

One of the few guys of that era who was big and athletic enough to play today

[@chippweagaming6662]

Night train is the emporer palpatine of defensive penalties! What a legend

[@dezcaughtit316]

He made em penalties it was all legal until he started dropping guys 🤣🤣 as a corner

[@chippweagaming6662]

Truth

[@TheGrossMeta]

Night Train would get ejected after the first snap in today's league 😂😂😂

[@Timeless_Youth]

It’s been almost 70 years and no defensive back has broken his record of picks in a season (in his rookie year). Some of the young guys say this time doesn’t count. That’s bullshit!

[@dfk09]

One of the coolest nicknames in sports...

[@Johnnycdrums]

My favorite football player. He obviously loved jazz, because he married and cared for, at least a minute, Dinah Washington.

[@hotdogwater7037]

0:44 goddamn

[@jonathanblaze1648]

Look at how far he knocks the guy's body at 0:52.

[@owengette8089]

Jonathan Blaze The dude fell like a rag doll.

[@jerardjones2791]

Johnny Unitas.." I'll NOT tolerate that!"..."Night train" took it back!😂🤣🤣

[@dailygoodvibes997]

Arguably the best cb in NFL history

[@keithfletcher7435]

One of the greatest players in history to play with in madden

[@aaeonkarma3717]

I guess his philosophy was something like..." You're not going anywhere without your head '

[@AHMAD-2324]

Night Train should have been way higher on this list. #30 Naw, should have been in the teen's.

[@airborneofficer2640]

They had to cater to the right audience, Payton should’ve been higher than he was

[@nealpradier1152]

1:54 it's like god gave him the ball after he blocked it 🤣😕😣 Smooooth,

[@sammyvh11]

Its ashame that millions of football fans where not alive to see the game in the 50s 60s and early 70s because this is the way the sport was meant to be. Not sumo wrestling on the line but offensive guys using the shoulder to block and defensive players being agressive. The money has made the game tame compared to this era and do not believe for one second the league cares about players they only care about their wallets. Oh and btw Lane still is the greatest corner to ever play in the NFL. Loved that man and I was a Baltimore Colts fan.

[@epeon7]

the reason you have these massive guys sumo wrestling is because the rules changed. In the 50s and 60s there were 300 lbs lineman, too. but, you cut them. Size alone wasn't enough. You needed quick feet. Look at Doug Atkins, he was nearly 300 lbs, but he was a basketball player and high jumper in college. He was quick. But, today, if you cut someone and someone else touches him that is an illegal block. So, you don't do that. so, size becomes everything. Just a different game then

[@sammyvh11]

Yes Jerry Kramer played gaurd at like 240 and 6 ft 2? Blocking a guy with the old rules did not require pure size. Strength yes and lots of athletic abilty below the belt.

[@charliepapa5835]

14 picks in 12 games!! As a rookie....damn!!

[@mdfs412]

Heard some sportscasters talking just yesterday about the two best ever CB's are Deion Sanders and Darrelle Revis. My arse! Gimmie "Night Train" Lane and Mel Blount!

[@pre-jordanbasketballfan7429]

Ron Paiva Well I wpuld rather be tackled by Deion or Revis that is for sure

[@headintheclouds6935]

Ya cuz deion wasnt a great tackler^^ he was an airman. His coverage was brilliant without a doubt, he stuck to his man. But RBs would run at him knowing he wasnt as effective in contact

[@timg2088]

Mel Blount doesn't get the accolades that he deserves nowadays. They made a new rule because of how effective he was at "jamming" a reciever off the line of scrimmage.

[@diabolikmitchell2960]

Darrell Green was better than Deion, it's not even close.

[@ricelaker]

I remember those days.

[@xaviervega468]

The game's first shutdown corner.

[@king_supreme1102]

Best corner of all time. Top 5 all time in interceptions while playing in an era that where teams would be lucky to pass the ball 25 times on a good day, on a 12 game schedule. Not only that best he is also one of the hardest hitting defensive backs of all time! Sorry Deion but not even you put up these stats.

[@dezcaughtit316]

Trust me this man is the 🐐 CB no disrespect to Prime Time! Night Train was different different that had to be 6'3 220 4.4 speed

[@shhotput]

Read "Paper Lion" by George Plimpton. He ( Lane) was with the Lions at that time. Great book for football lovers

[@victorhernandez2629]

He put guys in the Morgue , nuff said .🤙🏽

[@thatdudevic2160]

Very true nuff said

[@Channel-23s]

Now there’s 17 games 5 more then his 14 pick 12 game season and still there’s no one who’s beaten it

[@Purkis2009]

His Madden card is Ridiculous

[@abdiasvelasquez1185]

Purkis2009 how?

[@wrighj]

Purkis2009 lol they just brought out a 99 card for madden 18

[@huntemall219]

Ultimate team brought me here.

[@Dkary13]

3 years later this still applies

[@ericbyrne7621]

And his card went for millions 😂😂

[@tariqdurrani3916]

One of the best corners in NFL history

[@goldenera765]

His anticipation to dissect the play was absolutely astounding

[@Horatiusxa]

Every play they showed would result in a suspension today LOL Not a bad thing cause it's dangerous af but holy hell dude was a beast

[@BST-lm4po]

And yet kids today want to compare QB & WR stats from today's game with the guys from that era, not understanding what those guys had to endure! They'll say... "so & so wasn't that good,....look at his stats!" And I try to explain to them over & over that "it was a totally different game back then!!!"

[@mr.wilson381]

wait this a db at the beginning I thought d end

[@alfootball9381]

OD Wilson nah he a middle linebacker

[@mr.wilson381]

packers football what ever position he a monster

[@bryce8248]

packers football nah he was a corner my man

[@alfootball9381]

bryce sherffius he talk about dick butkus

[@devinayers1630]

OD Wilson you probably thinkin if Ed Too Tall Jones

[@samwam903]

Why they hating on his Tackling Creativity? And Just WOW he went in undrafted his first year a true diamond in the rough.

[@Shinobi33]

Cooojone! That hit at 0:52 😲. He launched himself like a missile.

[@lashawnbarberbarber8295]

Imagine him and Butkus on the same team

[@ericbyrne7621]

I wouldn’t show up

[@perry7595]

Imagine that with a safety like Ronnie Lott, and LT, and maybe Reggie White too. I think they go 16-0 just off of opposing team forfeits.

[@AboveAverageAvenue]

Night Train.. you don't hear good names like that anymore

[@warrenmcgrier8209]

Great athletic ability with a tenacious aptitude for PAIN... The NFL changed their tackling rules to stop him or he may have KILLED someone .

[@xvsj-s2x]

ONE of the corner stones in the foundation of the NFL🏈🏈🏈

[@MarcG7424]

The best players to me are the one's that caused rule changes

[@outlawoffroading3435]

He should be top 10

[@jeffpodrug8942]

I wonder why they didn't play him both ways? I wish I was old enough to have seen him play. 14 INTs in a 12 game season! Awesomeness!!

[@cloutedzebra7353]

Qb: I got a wide open player! Night Train: hold my beer

[@greensmithfootball10]

This guy was crazy

[@alexharo2160]

2:26 : Night train invents the juke

[@pattrell5257]

Ronnie Lott + Champ Bailey in one player. Imagine Lott in B&R coverage! Some of those hits were not illegal by today's standards, but still unbelievably crushing shahts! He could play today! He had the hands, speed, strength, and hitting power to be any defensive back on the football field and do it at a HOF level. No offense to Revis or Bailey, but this guy is the best CB/DB of all time and--as good as they were--it's not even close!

[@curtisnorfort2243]

He was a linebacker safety and cornerback all at the same time dude a beast best ever

[@bryanweiss4881]

Met him once when I was like 5 or 6, gave me a autographed picture, he was a Austin Tx native.

[@conorwoods3437]

This football is way better than modern day. So much more fun, and less bullshit calls from refs.

[@bloodorange6713]

Back when defenders could play at full speed

[@wiggywil]

Yeah, but you will be BRAIN DAMAGED playing like this...What good is playing GLADIATOR football if you cant remember what you did 10 years later?

[@bloodorange6713]

@@wiggywil massive over-exaggeration

[@davidshipman1569]

Look how fast he was!!!

[@austinbrown72]

Greatest corner ever, period.

[@MichaelCoughlan.]

Primetime imo but night train is up there

[@eduardo___9272]

Night train lane-breaks neck when making a head tackle Night train lane-Now that was a great play

[@juniornac1]

This is what it would look like to have a modern CB play in the 50s

[@lurking0death]

He was nicknamed "Night Train" because he was afraid to fly. He took night trains to get to the away games. It had nothing to do with the song Night Train.

[@ohcustomsr6311]

Are you for real

[@bignig3435]

It would be hilarious to watch him in today's game on the defensive end

[@mrheishim]

0:47 lmao bro was a menace 😂wdf

[@BigJackie]

I don’t really have favorite players from some position groups, but I have a favorite corner now

[@Tyara613]

You should do Night Train Lane he’s one of my favorites