Troy Aikman pays tribute to Rams great Lawrence McCutcheon, who died at 76 after a battle with Parkinson's

Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman has paid tribute to Lawrence McCutcheon, the five-time Pro Bowl running back who spent most of his career and decades of his working life with the Rams. McCutcheon died Friday, Oct. 23, at age 76 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, his family announced.

What Troy Aikman said

Aikman reposted the Rams’ announcement on his Instagram story and added a personal note, according to EssentiallySports:

“Sad news. As a Rams Fan as a young boy growing up in SoCal, he was the man. I met him later in life and he was a true gentleman. RIP Lawrence.”

His message drew wide attention over the weekend and was one of many tributes. Musician Tom Morello called McCutcheon “My favorite player as a kid. God bless him,” the same report said.

The family’s statement

McCutcheon’s family shared the news in a statement released through the Rams:

“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Lawrence McCutcheon. Clutch passed away on October 23 with family at his bedside following a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.”

“Clutch” was his nickname. Instead of flowers, the family asked that people who wish to honor him donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The family didn’t say when he was diagnosed.

Lawrence McCutcheon’s Rams career

The Rams drafted McCutcheon in the third round (70th overall) in 1972 out of Colorado State. He played the first eight of his 10 NFL seasons with them. According to the team:

• Pro Bowls: five straight, 1973-1977
• 1,000-yard seasons: four in those five years
• Rams rushing yards: 6,186, then the franchise record and still fourth behind Steven Jackson, Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk
• Playoff record: 37 carries for 202 yards in a 35-23 divisional-round win over the Cardinals in the 1975 playoffs, still franchise postseason records

He finished his playing days with the Broncos and Seahawks in 1980 and the Bills in 1981.

42 years with the organization

McCutcheon came back to the Rams as a scout in 1982. He later spent four years as director of scouting and seven as director of player personnel, along with a long stretch as a national scout. When he retired in August 2016, he had been with the organization for 42 years and in the NFL for 44, the Rams said.

“His impact on this organization spanned generations, and he embodied what it means to be a Ram,” the team said in a statement. “His legacy is woven into the fabric of our team.”

Colorado State legend

At Colorado State, McCutcheon played from 1969 to 1971 and left as the school’s career rushing leader with 2,917 yards, which still ranks seventh. He was the program’s first player to run for 1,000 yards in a season and 200 in a game, CSU Athletics said. He entered the Colorado State Hall of Fame in 1989, and the school added him to its Ring of Honor at Canvas Stadium on Sept. 19 of this year.

FAQ