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

Lawrence McCutcheon, a five-time Pro Bowl running back for the Los Angeles Rams who went on to spend more than three decades in the team's front office, died Friday. He was 76.

His family shared the news through the Rams. In a statement the family said McCutcheon had fought "a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease."

"Through a decade-long playing career and another 32 years in the Rams' front office, Clutch earned the respect and admiration of teammates, opposing players, colleagues and fans alike," the family said. "Clutch will be missed and remembered forever."

One of the best backs of the 1970s

The Rams drafted McCutcheon out of Colorado State in 1972. The Plainview, Texas, native quickly became one of the most dynamic running backs of the decade. He led the Rams in rushing every year from 1973 to 1977 in coach Chuck Knox's offense.

Known to everyone as "Clutch," he earned a Pro Bowl selection in each of those big years and was a second-team All-Pro in 1974. He played in 11 playoff games for the Rams.

His most famous moment came in the Super Bowl in January 1980. McCutcheon threw a touchdown pass to Ron Smith that put Los Angeles in front before the Pittsburgh Steelers rallied to win the title.

When he left the Rams in 1980 he was the franchise's career rushing leader. He finished his playing days with short stops in Denver, Seattle and Buffalo.

A second career with the Rams

McCutcheon then returned to the Rams as an executive. He rose to director of player personnel for the St. Louis Rams in 2003 and held that job until he retired in 2016, shortly before the team moved back to Los Angeles.

Football runs in the family. His son Daylon played cornerback for the Cleveland Browns from 1999 to 2006. His grandson Dyson is a defensive back at Middle Tennessee.