THE VILLAGER Page 8 ~ Fabruary 3, 2012 www.theaustinvillager.com SPORTS Daje Johnson chooses VILLAGER SPOTLIGHT Texas over TCU Hall of Famer Dick “Night Train” Lane prised of the top high school players in the country against an By: Terry Davis IFAF World Team of premiere Dick “Night Train” Lane players 19 and under from out- (April 16, 1927 – January 29, side of the United States. Both 2002) was abandoned as an in- teams’ rosters are set at 50 play- fant by his mother and was raised ers. U. S. National Team play- by Ella Lane in East Austin. ers and coaches are selected by Lane would attend L.C. USA Football. The World Team Anderson High school where he By: Terry Davis was selected by International was a three sport star. Lane would Federation of American Foot- attend Scottsbluff Junior College ball. @terryd515 in Nebraska. Lane would attend Johnson changed his for one year before dropping out Local Hendrickson Hawk commitment, because there is to join the United States Army. standout, Daje Johnson, changes where his heart is. According In the Army, Lane would his mind and signed a National to Johnson the reason that Texas rise to the rank of Lieutenant Letter of Intent to the University did not make him an offer or al- Daje Johnson Colonel in World War II and the of Texas. Johnson made an of- low him to take an official visit Korean War. When Lane left ficial visit to Texas last weekend earlier is because at the time, wide receiver or cornerback. I the military, he worked at an air- and after the visit he changed to Texas did an available open am going to play the position that craft plant. Dissatisfied with his college choice to Texas. scholarship to offer Johnson. will that will get me on the field job, he tried out for pro football. Johnson played in the In- Texas did not want to blow the quickest. I do not have a pref- In 1952 the Los Angeles ternational Bowl for the US Na- smoke at him and give him false erence. I feel I am equal on both Rams would give Lane a free in 1961 and 16 in 1978. He was Football Hall of Fame in 1974. In tional high school football team hope. sides of the ball.” agent tryout. Lane originally tried traded to the Chicago Cardi- his 14 NFL seasons, Lane re- against some All- Star foreign Johnson had committed to Johnson did have pressure out for a wide receiver position, nals in 1954 and to the Detroit corded 68 interceptions, 1,207 players from around the world at TCU earlier this year and they from family and friends from both but the Rams switched him to Lions in 1960. He played six sea- interception return yards, five Kelley Reeves Stadium. just wished him good luck and I Texas fans and TCU fans to sign defensive back. While with the sons in Detroit (1960–65) and touchdowns, 11 fumble recover- The third annual Interna- look forward to seeing you play. with their team. In the end the Rams he acquired the nickname recorded 21 interceptions for 272 ies, 57 fumble return yards, one tional Bowl features the U.S. At Texas Johnson said, “I heart of Johnson had to choose “Night Train” from a hit record yards and one touchdown. He touch down, eight receptions, 253 Under 19 National Team com- am going to play running back, the Longhorns. by Jimmy Forest (A #1 R&B hit was All-NFL four times (1960– receiving yards, one touchdown for 7 weeks in 1952), frequently 63) and was named to the Pro reception, and four punt returns Toros continue to excel in the D League played by teammate Tom Fears. Bowl three times (1961–63). for 14 yards. By: Terry Davis signment was with the Los played. Dentmon received the He initially disliked the nick- Lane made the All-Pro In 1999, he was ranked Despite the loss to the Angeles Defenders, while he Most Valuable Player award at name, but it grew on him after it team six times and was also number 19 on The Sporting number two team in the Devel- was a member of the Los An- the Reno Showcase last month. gained national attention, first ap- selected to seven Pro Bowls. News’ list of the 100 Greatest opmental League for the Na- geles Lakers. The Lakers Eric Dawson has been a pearing in print describing a tackle He recorded three interceptions Football Players, making him the tional Basketball League. The waived Thomas on December force for the Toros on the boards in a Rams exhibition game: Dick in all but four of his 14 NFL sea- highest-ranked defensive back, Austin Toros continue to have 22. The Spurs called up Tho- and defensively. The Toros has “Night Train” Lane derails Charlie sons. the Cardinals’ highest-ranked the best record in the D- mas from the Defenders on the best overall talent of any team “Choo Choo” Justice. He wore He was particularly noted player and the Lions’ second League. The Toros start is the January 11. While with the in the D-League and have differ- number 81, unusual for a defen- as a hard hitter, who liked to highest-ranked player after Barry miss in the history in the D- Spurs Thomas has appeared ent players stop up in key situa- sive back, because he was ini- tackle opponents about the Sanders. He also placed num- League. in three games. tions to continue the great success tially projected as a tight end. head and neck, which was then ber 2 on NFL Network’s “Top This week the Toros ros- Justin Dentmon is con- as a team. The Next Toros home In his rookie season he set a legal technique. This tackle 10 Greatest Undrafted Players”. ter was improved with the ad- sidered one of the best play- game is not until February 22 at an NFL single season record for was sometimes called a Night Lane would pass away in dition of Malcolm Thomas ers in the D-League this year the Cedar Park Center. How- interceptions with 14, which Train Necktie. his home in Austin, Texas on Janu- from parent club the San Anto- and has been a main stay for ever you can watch the Toros road stands to this day even though the In 1969, Lane was named ary 29 2002. To this day Lane is nio Spurs. This is Thomas sec- the Toros. Dentmon second games for free on length of the season at the time the best cornerback of the first one of the greatest professional ond assignment to the D- in the D-League in scoring at www.nba.com/dleague was only 12 games. The NFL ex- fifty years of professional foot- athlete to ever graduate from an League this year. His first as- 23.8 with at least 6 games futurecast panded the games to 14 games ball, then enshrined in the Pro Austin High School.