Former Dallas Cowboys running back Scott Laidlaw, who helped the franchise to a win in Super Bowl XII, has died. He was 82 years old.
The Cowboys announced Laidlaw’s death earlier this week.
A former Stanord star, Laidlaw was drafted by Dallas in the 14th round of the 1975 NFL Draft. He went on to spend five seasons with the Cowboys, helping them to three Super Bowls and winning one.
A California native, Scott Laidlaw’s best season in the NFL came in 1976 when he rushed for 424 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also caught 38 passes for 325 yards and a score that year.
“He had great hands,” former Cowboys offensive lineman Pat Donovan said, per the team’s official site. “He was one of the few backs at the time who really knew how to swing out of the backfield. … I mean, he was really an effective back.”
Laidlaw appeared in 67 games overall for the Cowboys, making 15 starts. He topped the 100-yard mark twice in a game during his career — rushing for 104 yards against the Eagles in 1976 and a career-high 122 yards against Washington in 1978.
Laidlaw ended his career in 1980 with the New York Giants after spending his first five years in Dallas.
“Since I was no longer with the Cowboys, it was basically, Okay, I’m just going to retire. I’m done‚” he said before his passing, according to the team’s site.