It’s a somber day in Cowboys Nation. Former Dallas running back and Super Bowl champion Scott Laidlaw has passed away at the age of 72. A player who embodied grit, reliability, and team-first football, Laidlaw was a key contributor during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history.
Laidlaw’s NFL journey began in 1975 when the Cowboys selected him out of Stanford in the 14th round of the draft. That rookie class would go on to be dubbed the “Dirty Dozen,” a group that helped reshape the Cowboys under the legendary Tom Landry. While Laidlaw’s name might not dominate the stat sheets, those who watched him play-or played alongside him-know just how valuable he was to those late-70s Dallas teams.
He was the kind of back coaches trusted in big moments. Whether lining up at fullback or halfback, Laidlaw fit perfectly into Landry’s run-first system.
He wasn’t flashy, but he was dependable-a smart, physical runner who did the dirty work and delivered when it counted. That trust translated to the biggest stage in football: Laidlaw played in two Super Bowls with the Cowboys and earned a championship ring in Super Bowl XII when Dallas defeated the Denver Broncos.
His best season came in 1976. After a knee injury cut his rookie year short, Laidlaw bounced back strong, playing in 13 games and starting seven.
He rushed for 424 yards and three touchdowns on 94 carries, while also catching 38 passes for 325 yards. That kind of dual-threat production made him a steady option in the backfield and a quiet engine in a high-powered offense.
Laidlaw’s role expanded during the Cowboys’ 1978 playoff run. With injuries mounting, he stepped in as the lead back and helped guide Dallas to Super Bowl XIII, where they fell in a close battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Between 1976 and 1979, he made eight regular-season starts for the Cowboys, always answering the call when needed.
After Dallas released him following the 1979 season, Laidlaw spent one final year in the league with the New York Giants in 1980 before retiring. Over the course of his career, he totaled 1,265 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, while adding 74 receptions for 668 yards and three scores through the air.
In December, the Cowboys honored Laidlaw and his fellow “Dirty Dozen” rookies during a home game-one more reminder of how much he meant to the franchise. The team’s website even named him the best 14th-round pick in Cowboys history. That’s no small praise when you consider the storied legacy of this organization.
Laidlaw wasn’t a superstar in the traditional sense, but he was exactly the kind of player championship teams are built on-tough, selfless, and always ready. His legacy lives on in the memories of those Super Bowl runs, in the respect of his teammates, and in the foundation he helped build in Dallas.
Rest in peace, Scott Laidlaw. Your contributions to the game-and to Cowboys history-won’t be forgotten.