Fred Lane (American football)

Fred Lane (January 27, 1975 – July 5, 2000) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons.

Lane played college football at Lane College, a historically black college in Jackson, Tennessee. He was a standout player for the Dragons, earning All-SIAC honors.

Undrafted out of college, Lane signed with the Carolina Panthers in 1997. He quickly became a key contributor to the team's offense. In his rookie season, he rushed for 809 yards and seven touchdowns, setting a Panthers rookie rushing record. He followed that with a 1,000-yard season in 1998, becoming the first Panthers player to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

Lane continued to be a productive player for the Panthers in 1999. In 2000, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two draft picks.

Tragically, Fred Lane's life was cut short on July 5, 2000, when he was shot and killed by his wife, Deidra Lane, in their Charlotte, North Carolina home. Deidra Lane was later convicted of voluntary manslaughter.

Fred Lane's promising NFL career was marked by his exceptional running ability and his contributions to the Carolina Panthers. His untimely death shocked the football world and left a lasting impact on the Panthers organization and its fans. He is remembered as a talented player and a positive presence in the locker room.