Detroit acquired Hall of Fame cornerback Dick "Night Train"…
Detroit acquired Hall of Fame cornerback Dick "Night Train" Lane from the Chicago Cardinals on August 22, 1960 for lineman Gerry Perry. Lane immediately became a centerpiece of the Lions defense, earned repeated All-NFL honors, and intercepted 21 passes in six Detroit seasons. Perry did not produce comparable value for the Cardinals, making this one of Detroit's strongest veteran acquisitions.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Gerry Perry
Detroit Lions Received
- player Dick "Night Train" Lane
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
The Chicago Cardinals traded veteran cornerback Dick "Night Train" Lane to Detroit on August 22, 1960 for lineman Gerry Perry. Lane was already famous for his ball skills and aggressive style, but Detroit was not buying a player whose best football was entirely behind him. The Lions placed him into a talented defense and received several more seasons of elite secondary play.
Why the Value Tilted
Lane made an immediate impact in Detroit and remained with the Lions through 1965. Over six seasons he intercepted 21 passes, returned them for 272 yards, and continued collecting major all-league honors. He had 11 interceptions across his first two Detroit seasons alone. His career eventually earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and his Lions years were a substantial part of that résumé.
How the Outcome Aged
The Cardinals' return, Gerry Perry, did not create a comparable legacy or sustained on-field contribution. The contrast is especially stark because this was a direct player-for-player exchange. Detroit did not need a later draft hit or a complicated sequence of moves to realize the benefit; Lane himself supplied the value year after year.
Final Verdict
Detroit earns an A+ and the win because it acquired a Hall of Fame defensive back who remained an elite contributor for six seasons. The Cardinals receive a D because Perry did not provide a meaningful counterweight to Lane's production and honors. The corrected August 22 date and Perry spelling sharpen the historical details, but the larger conclusion has always been clear: Detroit won this exchange decisively.