The Los Angeles Rams announced on Friday the devastating news that legendary running back Lawrence McCutcheon passed away. He was 76 years old.
McCutcheon played for the franchise from 1972-1979, finding incredible success under head coach Chuck Knox and his "Ground Chuck" rushing offense.
From 1973-1977, McCutcheon recorded over 5,300 rushing yards and over 6,800 yards from scrimmage during that span. That included four 1,000-yard seasons and five straight Pro Bowl selections. He's also the first player in franchise history to rush for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
In his final season with the franchise, he helped the 1979 Rams and head coach Ray Malavasi reach Super Bowl XIV. In that contest, which the Rams lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, McCutcheon threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to give his side the lead. That was the final scoring play for Los Angeles, which allowed 14 straight points to Pittsburgh in the 31-19 defeat.
McCutcheon would play two more seasons with the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills. Following his retirement, he would enjoy a successful career as a Rams executive, working 32 years in the front office in multiple roles, most notably as the team's director of player personnel from 2003-2016.
In a social media post from the Rams, the franchise and the McCutcheon family spoke about his impact, highlighting his life, his work, and his strength as he battled Parkinson's disease.
The Rams are saddened by the passing of Rams Legend Lawrence McCutcheon. Our sincere condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/xmoxM7Yaam
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 23, 2026
McCutcheon will be remembered for his incredible success on and off the field, as he will forever be one of the most influential voices in franchise history. He finished his career with 6,578 rushing yards, 1,799 receiving yards, and 39 touchdowns. In his eight years as a player for the Rams, Los Angeles won seven division titles and an NFC Championship.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams legend Lawrence McCutcheon dies at 76