Twenty-Five Greatest Players in Cardinals History

Dick “Night Train” Lane was one of the most feared players in NFL history.

If entire careers were being considered, “Night Train” would likely top this list. As it is, in just six seasons with the Cardinals franchise, he did enough to be this high. He was one of the best players in the history of the NFL, showing uncanny ball skills and a willingness to hit that was legendary.

Lane came to the Cardinals, then in Chicago, via a trade, and made an immediate impact. In his first season he intercepted ten passes, and returned them for 181 total yards. He averaged five interceptions per year for those six seasons, and the 30 he tallied for the Cardinals is good for fourth on their all-time list. Just as importantly, he was an intimidating presence in the secondary. He did whatever was necessary to bring guys down, and left many men lying on the ground in pain.

During his six years with the franchise, Lane the Pro Bowl four times, and was first-team All Pro once. He is in the Cardinals Ring of Honor, was on the 1950’s All-Decade team, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974.