Mike McCullough (Canadian football)

Last updated
Mike McCullough
No. 45
MikeMcCulloughRiders.JPG
Mike McCullough in 2010
Born: (1980-03-17) March 17, 1980 (age 44)
Kingston, Ontario
Career information
CFL status National
Position(s) LB
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight230 lb (100 kg)
University St. Francis Xavier
CFL draft 2003, round: 3, pick: 23
Drafted by Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career history
As player
2003–2013 Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards
Career stats
  • Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)

Mike McCullough (born March 17, 1980) is a former Canadian football linebacker who played ten seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). McCullough was drafted by the Roughriders in the third round of the 2003 CFL Draft, after playing his college football at St. Francis Xavier University.

Contents

University football

McCullough played four seasons for the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men in the Atlantic University Sport Conference. [1] In his senior season, McCullough was named to the conference's defensive all-star team as well as being named an academic all-star. [1]

Professional football

After his university career, McCullough was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2003 CFL Draft. [1] He has been a key contributor on special teams, leading the Roughriders in special teams tackles during his rookie season. [1] While with the Roughriders, McCullough has been the recipient of numerous awards for community service, including the club's Mosaic Community Service Award in 2008 and 2009. [1] McCullough was the team's nominee for the Tom Pate Memorial Award in 2009 [2] and 2010, [3] presented by the CFL Player's Association for community service. After the 2010 CFL season, McCullough was awarded the Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy, for being judged as the CFL Player who "best demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict." [3]

McCullough would have been a free agent in February 2011 after the 2010 season, but signed a new contract with the team on December 22, 2010. [4]

McCullough eventually went on to win the 101st Grey Cup with Saskatchewan in 2013.

On May 30, 2014, after ten seasons playing in the CFL, McCullough announced retirement. [5]

Personal life

McCullough is married, and lives in Regina year-round with his wife Laura and his 4 kids,Joe,Wes,Will and his only daughter, Claire McCullough. [1] He devotes a considerable amount of time to charities, with much of time directed to Jesse's Journey, a foundation that funds research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). [6] His son Cole, who suffered from DMD and epilepsy, died in February 2009 after suffering a seizure in his sleep. [6] McCullough has also devoted time to the Chris Knox Foundation in Regina, after befriending Knox, a young man battling cancer, in the leadup to the Roughriders win in the 2007 Grey Cup. McCullough was featured on pennants sold by the charity during the 2010 season as a fundraiser. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mike McCullough". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Archived from the original on 2010-03-06. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  2. ↑ McCormick, Murray (2009-11-16). "Saskatchewan Roughriders' Mike McCullough nominated for CFLPA's Tom Pate Award to recognize humanitarian activities". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  3. 1 2 McCormick, Murray (2010-11-24). "Mike McCullough wins inaugural award" . Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  4. ↑ "Mike McCullough signs new contract with Saskatchewan Roughriders". Regina Leader Post. 2010-12-22. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  5. ↑ "McCullough announces retirement from CFL". Leader-Post . Postmedia Network. 2014-05-30. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  6. 1 2 McCormick, Murray (2009-11-27). "Saskatchewan Roughriders' McCullough is a man with outstanding character: Szarka". Regina Leader Post. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  7. ↑ Hamilton, Ian (2010-08-25). "McCullough enjoying banner year with Riders". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
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