Former Utah State, NFL Running Back MacArthur Lane Passes Away

OAKLAND, Calif. – Former Utah State and NFL running back MacArthur Lane has passed away on Saturday in his hometown of Oakland, California. He was 77-years-old.

Lane was a three-year letterwinner at linebacker and running back at Utah State from 1965-67. At running back, Lane carried the ball 171 times for 1,182 yards and 8 touchdowns during this junior and senior seasons.

He had four 100-yard rushing games, including a career-best 207 yards on 20 carries against West Texas as a senior. Lane had a career-long 84-yard run against Hawaii during his junior season, which is the ninth-longest rush in school history.

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of MacArthur Lane,” said Utah State Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell. “MacArthur was a tremendous football player, both at Utah State and in the NFL, and his passion for Utah State University and Aggie Football was unmatched. Our condolences go out to his wife Edna and his entire family. He will be missed by all.”

The Aggies went 19-10-1 during the three seasons with Lane, including three wins against Utah and two victories against BYU.

Former Utah State and NFL Running Back MacArthur Lane Passes Away#AggiesAllTheWay

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— USU Football (@USUFootball) May 6, 2019

Lane was drafted as the 13th overall pick in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. Lane collected 4,656 yards on 1,206 carries and caught 287 passes for 2,786 yards and scored 37 total touchdowns.

The 1970 season was Lane’s best when he was in a Cardinals jersey as he led the league with 11 rushing touchdowns, which led to a Pro Bowl.

Lane is one of four Aggies to be drafted in the first round, joining defensive tackle Merlin Olsen as the third overall pick in the 1962 draft by the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Bill Munson as the seventh overall pick in the 1964 draft by the Rams and defensive tackle Phil Olsen as the fourth overall selection in the 1970 draft by the Boston Patriots.

He was inducted in the Utah State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.