Rick Kane

Richard James Kane was an American professional football running back in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions from 1977 to 1983, and 1985 to 1986. Kane rushed for 1,486 yards during his NFL career.

Biography

Kane was born on November 12, 1954, in Lincoln, Nebraska to Gerald James Kane and Orletha Ann Kane. He had one sister, Diane. The family moved to Pleasanton, California when Kane was 12, and he played football at and graduated from Amador Valley High School. He attended University of Oregon for two years and was awarded the Len Casanova Award for Rookie of the year in 1973 [Oregon Ducks football team|1973]. He transferred to San Jose State University where he became the first player in school history to rush 1,000 yards.
Kane was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 1977 NFL draft, where he remained for the majority of his career. He played 12 games with the Washington Redskins during the 1984 season after being placed on waivers by the Lions. The following May, he was again placed on waivers but re-signed with the Lions on a one-year contract. He was released in February 1986.
After retiring from football, Kane worked as a car salesman in Reno, Nevada. In 2005, a teenage girl using her cell phone crashed into his motorcycle, resulting in the loss of his leg. He and his wife Dianne had three sons and one daughter. He died December 25, 2009, in Reno, Nevada due to complications from pneumonia. His funeral was held at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Reno.