Lawrence McCutcheon, five-time Pro Bowl Rams running back, dies at 76

Lawrence McCutcheon, the running back who earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections with the Los Angeles Rams, died Friday, October 23, at 76. His family announced his death in a statement published by the Rams and Colorado State.

McCutcheon left Los Angeles as the franchise's career rushing leader. His 6,186 yards remain fourth on the Rams' list. He reached the Pro Bowl every season from 1973 through 1977, with four 1,000-yard rushing seasons in that stretch, according to the club.

One postseason performance gives those totals a sharper outline: 202 rushing yards on 37 carries in a 35-23 playoff victory over the Cardinals in 1975. The Rams identify both figures as team records at the time. It was not simply a long afternoon for the opposing defense. It was the kind of workload that put the outcome repeatedly in one runner's hands.

Before Los Angeles, a different Rams record book

At Colorado State, McCutcheon rushed for 2,917 yards from 1969 through 1971. He departed as the school's career leader and still ranks seventh. Colorado State credits him with its first 1,000-yard rushing season and first 200-yard rushing game.

The school inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1989 and added him to its Ring of Honor on September 19 this year. Those recognitions trace a career that had already changed one program's standards before he arrived in the NFL.

The work after playing

McCutcheon rejoined the professional Rams as a scout in 1982 and later served in personnel leadership before retiring in 2016. Playing and evaluating players are different crafts. His place in the organization's history belongs to both.

The rushing records provide the familiar measure. The years spent helping shape later teams make this a longer football story than a list of carries and yards can tell.