Richard James Kane (November 12, 1954 – December 25, 2009) was an American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions from 1977 to 1983 and 1985 to 1986. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Kane rushed for 1,486 yards during his NFL career. ^[2]

Biography

Kane was born on November 12, 1954, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Gerald James Kane and Orletha Ann (Fiala) Kane. ^{[1] [2] [4]} He had one sister, Diane. ^[4] The family moved to Pleasanton, California when Kane was 12, and he played football at and graduated from Amador Valley High School. ^{[2] [1]} He attended University of Oregon for two years and was awarded the Len Casanova Award for Rookie of the year in 1973. ^{[1] [2]} He transferred to San Jose State University where he became the first player in school history to rush 1,000 yards. ^{[5] [2] [1]}

Kane was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round (69th overall) of the 1977 NFL draft, where he remained for the majority of his career. ^{[2] [1] [5]} He played 12 games with the Washington Redskins during the 1984 season after being placed on waivers by the Lions. ^{[3] [6] [7] [8]} The following May, he was again placed on waivers but re-signed with the Lions on a one-year contract. ^{[3] [9]} He was released in February 1986. ^[10]

After retiring from football, Kane worked as a car salesman in Reno, Nevada. ^[1] In 2005, a teenage girl using her cell phone crashed into his motorcycle, resulting in the loss of his leg. ^{[1] [5]} He and his wife Dianne had three sons and one daughter. ^[1] He died December 25, 2009, in Reno, Nevada due to complications from pneumonia. ^{[2] [1]} His funeral was held at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Reno. ^[1]

College statistics

Professional career statistics

References