Back in 1969, Hall of Fame voters built a team out of the best players in the National Football League’s 50-year history. The squad included offensive stars Gale Sayers, Jim Brown, and legendary cornerback Dick “Night Train” Lane.
Sayers was a Hall of Famer, five-time All-Pro, and four-time Pro Bowler. He was a first-team All-Pro for the Chicago Bears for his first five seasons (1965-1969). Throughout the period, he finished in the top five in the NFL MVP voting.
One of his most memorable moments was when Sayers tied an NFL record with six touchdowns as a rookie for the Bears in a 61-20 victory over the 49ers on December 12, 1965, at Wrigley Field. He wrote about the event in his autobiography, My Life and Times. The Kansas Comet described how Bears founder George Halas gave him a final chance to add a seventh touchdown.
“Halas had already taken me out of the game with such a big lead. I had no problem with that, even though the Wrigley Fans began chanting, ‘We want Sayers! We want Sayers!” Sayers said.
In 1968, Sayers had the most productive rushing yardage game of his career. However, it was cut short due to a devastating knee injury. With an incredible 30.56-yard average, he remained the best kickoff returner in NFL history. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1977.
"Give me 18 inches of daylight. That's all I need."
Legendary Bears RB Gale Sayers has died at the age of 77.
(via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/38fpwJD05A
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 23, 2020
Jim Brown
Brown was primarily a fullback before transitioning to halfback. He was named Most Valuable Player three times before being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Brown only had a brief football career before deciding to pursue acting. He was a player who could run over and around the enemies’ defenders with ease, being well-known for his unusual combination of speed and size.
The running back delivered an average of 5.2 yards per carry, the highest in NFL history. He set a single-season rushing record in 1958, gaining 1,527 yards in 12 games. He established records for single-season rushing (1,863 yards in 1963), career rushing (12,312 yards), and rushing touchdowns (106). He was the first player in history to have 100 rushing touchdowns.
Dick “Night Train” Lane
Gino Marchetti, Leo Nomellini, Ray Nitschke, and Emlen Tunnell are all well-known names in Defense & Special Teams. However, Dick “Night Train” Lane clearly stands out from the crowd.
Dick “Night Train” Lane. The original “ball hawk”. Tallying 14 INTs in a 12 game season in 1952 with the Rams. Let’s also mention that he is one of the most feared tacklers in football history.
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“There is nothing i hate worse than a first down” – Night Train pic.twitter.com/8vU0Ny6EgS— DefensiveBackUniversity (@DBackUniverse) July 16, 2022
Lane is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs of all time. He was undrafted in 1952 before signing with the Los Angeles Rams. The Night Train was named First Team All-Pro seven times, Second Team All-Pro three times, and NFL Interceptions Leader twice.
The former cornerback had 14 interceptions in a season during his rookie season in 1952 and currently ranks second on the all-time interception list. He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 1974.
Lane was not a typical cornerback, bringing an unmatched level of ferocity to the position. His habit of clotheslining opponents and tearing them to the ground by their facemask prompted the NFL to make a few rule changes in the early 1960s.