Kane died of pneumonia Christmas Day at his home in Reno, his family told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
After his football career ended in 1985, Kane worked for car dealerships, most recently as Internet and fleet sales manager for Scott Motor Co.
Kane played football at San Jose State and Oregon State and was drafted by the Lions in 1977. He played in Detroit through 1983 and for the Redskins in 1984 and 1985.
In 2005, he lost a leg in a car crash and founded a support group for amputees.
"I have been an amputee for 35 years and have been on the disabled ski team and climbed mountains," Rick Riley of Prosthetic Consulting Tech said. "I get to inspire thousands of people. But from time to time, people come along who inspire me. That describes Rick Kane. He was an inspiration."
Kane is survived by his wife Dianne, three sons and a daughter.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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