Lawrence McCutcheon, 5-time Pro Bowl RB for Rams, dies at 76

Lawrence McCutcheon, the five-time Pro Bowl running back who became one of the signature players of the Los Angeles Rams' 1970s heyday, has died. He was 76.

His family announced his death through the Rams on Friday. In a statement, the family said McCutcheon had fought "a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease," the Associated Press reported.

McCutcheon, nicknamed "Clutch," played his first eight NFL seasons for the Rams, who drafted him out of Colorado State in 1972. The Plainview, Texas, native quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic running backs of the 1970s, earning a Pro Bowl selection and leading the Rams in rushing each year from 1973 through 1977 in coach Chuck Knox's productive offense. He was a second-team AP All-Pro selection in 1974.

He appeared in 11 postseason games for the Rams, including the franchise's Super Bowl appearance in January 1980, and he was the team's career rushing leader when he left in 1980. McCutcheon finished his playing career with stints in Denver, Seattle and Buffalo over two seasons.

After hanging up his cleats, McCutcheon moved into the Rams' front office and stayed there for more than three decades, eventually rising to director of player personnel for the St. Louis Rams from 2003 until his retirement.

"Through a decade-long playing career and another 32 years in the Rams' front office, Clutch earned his place as a true franchise legend," the Rams said.

Football runs deep in the family: his son Daylon was a cornerback for the Cleveland Browns from 1999 to 2006, and his grandson Dyson is a defensive back at Middle Tennessee.