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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Scott Laidlaw, a running back who spent six seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys, died Thursday according to Jonah Javad of WFAA. He was 72.
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Laidlaw played five seasons in Dallas (1975-79) before finishing his career with the New York Giants in 1980. A fullback and halfback, Laidlaw was an integral part of the Cowboys' ball-control offense under head coach Tom Landry.
Laidlaw appeared in two Super Bowls with the Cowboys, including the team’s victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII.
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Laidlaw finished his career with 16 carries for 255 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 74 passes for 668 yards and three touchdowns in his career.
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In December, Laidlaw and other members of the Cowboys' so-called "Dirty Dozen" rookie class of 1975 were honored during a home game in Dallas.
A native of Hawthorne, California, Laidlaw was drafted in the 14th round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Cowboys out of Stanford.
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A knee injury early in the 1975 season limited Laidlaw to eight games as a rookie, eventually requiring surgery. He would play 13 games in 1976 and start seven, which proved to be the most in a single season of his career. He finished with career highs of 94 carries for 424 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, plus another 38 catches for 325 yards.
Laidlaw was the featured running back during the Cowboys' 1978 playoff run, which culminated with a 35-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII.
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Laidlaw would start only eight regular season games for the Cowboys from 1976-79 before he was released and signed with the NFC East rival Giants for the 1980 season.
The Cowboys' website chose Laidlaw as the best 14th-round draft pick in franchise history.
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