Scott Laidlaw, a former running back who won a Super Bowl championship with the Dallas Cowboys, died January 29, 2026. He was 72 years old.
Laidlaw’s family confirmed his death. No cause of death was provided.
The Stanford product was drafted by Dallas in the 14th round of the 1975 NFL Draft, selected 356th overall. He became one of 12 rookies who made the roster that year, a group that earned the nickname “Dirty Dozen.” That celebrated rookie class included Hall of Famer Randy White, along with Pat Donovan, Bob Breunig, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson and Herbert Scott.
Laidlaw played five seasons with Dallas from 1975 to 1979, appearing in the playoffs with the Cowboys in three of those years. He was part of head coach Tom Landry’s ball-control offense, contributing both as a rusher and receiver.
His rookie season in 1975 was cut short by a knee injury that required surgery, limiting him to eight games. Despite the setback, Laidlaw helped the Cowboys reach Super Bowl X, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17.
Two years later, during the 1977 season, Laidlaw earned a championship ring when the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII in 1978. The victory capped a dominant season for Dallas, cementing the team’s status as one of the era’s powerhouse franchises.
The Cowboys returned to the Super Bowl the following season, but fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-31, marking Laidlaw’s third Super Bowl appearance in just four seasons with Dallas.
Throughout his postseason career, Laidlaw scored two rushing touchdowns. He found the end zone against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship and against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-pressure playoff situations.
After being released by the Cowboys following the 1979 season, Laidlaw joined the New York Giants in 1980. He played seven games for the Giants before retiring from professional football after the season, concluding a six-year NFL career.
Over his professional career, Laidlaw accumulated 255 carries for 1,007 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He also proved valuable as a receiving threat out of the backfield, recording 74 receptions for 668 yards and three receiving touchdowns. While not putting up superstar statistics, Laidlaw’s versatility and reliability made him an integral part of the Cowboys’ offensive scheme during their championship years.
Throughout his time in Dallas, Laidlaw battled through hamstring and knee injuries that tested his durability. Despite these physical setbacks, he remained a steady contributor to one of the NFL’s most successful teams of the 1970s.
The Cowboys honored Laidlaw and his fellow “Dirty Dozen” teammates at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in December 2025, just one month before his death. The tribute celebrated the contributions of the remarkable 1975 rookie class that helped shape the franchise’s championship era.
Laidlaw’s passing comes several months after the death of another member of the Cowboys’ 1970s dynasty. D.D. Lewis, a linebacker who was part of Dallas’s famed defense, died in September 2025 at the age of 79.
The “Dirty Dozen” class of 1975 proved to be one of the most successful rookie groups in Cowboys history. That draft class helped transform Dallas into a perennial contender, leading to multiple Super Bowl appearances and establishing a winning culture that defined the franchise throughout the late 1970s.
Before turning professional, Laidlaw established himself as a standout player at Stanford, where he developed the skills that would serve him throughout his NFL career. The Cowboys’ decision to select him in the 14th round proved prescient, as he became a reliable contributor who helped the team achieve championship success.
The 1970s Cowboys teams on which Laidlaw played represented one of the most dominant periods in franchise history. Under head coach Tom Landry’s leadership, Dallas became known for consistent winning, national television exposure, and a roster filled with players who could perform in crucial moments.
Laidlaw’s role in the Cowboys’ ball-control offense was essential to the team’s success. His ability to both run and catch passes out of the backfield gave head coach Tom Landry flexibility in game planning and helped sustain drives that kept opposing defenses on the field.
The running back position Laidlaw played has evolved significantly since his playing days. During the 1970s, running backs were integral parts of NFL offenses, serving as both runners and blockers who could contribute in multiple ways. Laidlaw embodied this versatility, adapting his game to meet whatever the Cowboys needed on a given play.
After hanging up his cleats following the 1980 season, Laidlaw left behind a legacy defined not by individual accolades but by team success and reliability. He exemplified the type of player every championship team needs—someone willing to do the necessary work without demanding the spotlight, whose contributions accumulate over time to help a team achieve its ultimate goals.
Laidlaw’s career statistics tell only part of his story. While his 1,007 career rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns might seem modest by modern standards, they represent consistent production from a player who maximized his opportunities and contributed to three Super Bowl appearances in five seasons with Dallas.
The Cowboys organization and fans across the NFL now mourn the loss of another member of the team’s championship era, remembering Laidlaw not only for his on-field contributions but for his embodiment of the teamwork and dedication that defined Dallas football during one of its most successful periods.