Remembering Scott Laidlaw: A Steady Hand in a Golden Era of Cowboys Football
It’s a somber moment for the Dallas Cowboys community, as former running back and Super Bowl champion Scott Laidlaw has passed away at the age of 72. Laidlaw was more than just a player on the roster - he was a trusted presence during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history.
Laidlaw carved out his place in Cowboys lore in the late 1970s, playing under the iconic Tom Landry. He wasn’t the flashiest guy in the backfield, but he was dependable - the kind of player coaches leaned on when the stakes were high. Whether lining up at fullback or halfback, Laidlaw fit seamlessly into Landry’s run-heavy scheme, where execution and trust mattered just as much as raw numbers.
Drafted in the 14th round of the 1975 NFL Draft out of Stanford, Laidlaw was part of the Cowboys’ famed “Dirty Dozen” rookie class - a group that helped reshape the team’s identity. He played five seasons in Dallas from 1975 to 1979, then closed out his career with the New York Giants in 1980.
His career stats might not leap off the page - 255 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, plus 74 receptions for 668 yards and three receiving scores - but they don’t tell the whole story. Laidlaw was a role player in the truest sense: reliable, unselfish, and ready when called upon. He didn’t need the spotlight to make an impact.
The 1976 season was the high point of his career. He played in 13 games, starting seven, and posted 424 rushing yards on 94 carries, along with three touchdowns.
Through the air, he added 38 receptions for 325 yards. That year, he proved he could be more than a complementary piece - he was a legitimate contributor in a deep and talented offense.
Laidlaw’s postseason contributions were just as meaningful. During the Cowboys’ 1978 playoff run, he stepped into a larger role as the team advanced to Super Bowl XIII. Though Dallas fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a hard-fought game, Laidlaw’s steady presence helped anchor a team chasing greatness.
Of course, his crowning achievement came earlier, when the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. That championship ring secured his place in franchise history, and it’s a moment that still resonates with fans who remember that era of Cowboys football.
Laidlaw’s journey wasn’t without setbacks. A knee injury cut his rookie season short after just eight games and required surgery. But true to form, he bounced back - another example of the resilience that defined his career.
In December, the Cowboys honored Laidlaw and the rest of the “Dirty Dozen” during a home game, a fitting tribute to a group that helped build the foundation for a championship run. The team later named him the best 14th-round draft pick in franchise history - a testament to the value he brought, both on and off the field.
Scott Laidlaw might not have been a household name, but inside the Cowboys locker room - and among those who watched him play - he was known for his toughness, his team-first mindset, and his ability to deliver when it counted. He embodied the kind of quiet leadership that championship teams are built on.
His legacy lives on through the memories of those seasons, those playoff runs, and that Super Bowl win. More than anything, it lives on in the respect he earned from teammates, coaches, and fans who knew just how important he was to the fabric of those Cowboys teams.
Rest in peace, Scott Laidlaw.