Andy McCullough
Encyclopedia
Antwone "Andy" McCullough (born November 11, 1978) is a former professional American football
wide receiver
who played in the National Football League
, NFL Europe
and Arena Football League
.
in Dayton, Ohio
, where he excelled in both football and basketball. Although he did not play a down of football until he began high school, McCullough was recruited by over 31 different colleges for football. He accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Tennessee
.
for the University of Tennessee
, where he was a four-year letterman (1994–1997). During his career with the Volunteers he played in 44 games, totaling 59 catches for 903 yards (15.3 average) and eight touchdowns. During the 1997 season
he caught the last pass of Peyton Manning
's college career.
As a true freshman, McCulough played in 8 games. He received for 45 yards in 4 catches. He also played a major role in the Gator Bowl
win over Virginia Tech.
In his sophomore year, McCullough had 9 catches totaling 81 yards and a touchdown.
He finished out his Junior year fourth on the Tennessee team with a total of 32 yards receiving in 24 catches and 4 touchdowns.
In his final year, as a senior, Antwone finished with 42 yards and 3 touchdowns in 22 receptions. In the Orange Bowl that year, he caught a 29 yard pass, the teams longest reception.
in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft
. He was released in final cuts on August 30. Subsequently, McCullough spent time on the practice squads of the Miami Dolphins
(September 1–15) and Detroit Lions
(September 23–October 7). The Arizona Cardinals
signed him to their practice squad on November 19, where he remained for the rest of the season.
where he played for the Frankfurt Galaxy
.
McCullough had a standout season in Europe, recording 48 receptions (fourth in league) for 883 yards (second in league) and ten touchdowns (third in league). He also returned eight kickoffs for 158 yards and two punts for 46 yards. In a week six match-up with the Scottish Claymores
he caught a career-best eight receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns.
McCullough earned World Bowl
MVP
honors as the Galaxy captured the NFL Europe League championship
. He caught six passes for 151 yards and scored three touchdowns in Frankfurt's 38–24 win over the Barcelona Dragons
.
Following the NFL Europe season, McCullough returned to Arizona. He played in two games for the Cardinals during the 1999 NFL season
, catching three passes for 45 yards.
signed him to their practice squad on August 30. He was waived on September 19. During the 2000 NFL season
McCullough also spent time on the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans
.
and allocated to the NFL Europe League where he played, again, for the Frankfurt Galaxy. He led the team in receptions with 41 (fourth in league) and recorded 460 yards and three touchdowns. The Raiders released him in final cuts on September 2.
of the Arena Football League
on January 22, 2002. He finished the season with 82 catches for 836 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. Following the season McCullough was selected to the AFL All-Rookie Team.
McCullough also played defense for Dallas, recording eight tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He was named game MVP twice in 2002. First against Detroit
, where he scored career high totals in touchdowns (5), catches (14), and yards (152). The second, in Tampa Bay
where he led the team with a touchdown, 95 yards and 8 receptions. McCullough also set up the game winning touchdown by recovering a fumble in overtime.
finished the season ranked first in total offense, and fifth in scoring with the help of McCullough, who was one of a three part offensive attack. He experienced career highs in both receiving
with 96 catches, and total yards with 1,215. He tied his career high in touchdowns with 24. He was also had huge achievements on defense for the team racking up a career high in tackles with 22.5 and team and career highs in fumble recoveries with 3.
McCullough was named Ironmade of the Game twice that season. The first time against Arizona, where he forced numerous incompletions and racked up 128 yards on offense. The second time was against Detroit, where he scored, had 64 yards and posted an interception.
McCullough received yet another game MVP with his performance in Los Angeles when he experienced the first two interceptions of his career.
McCullough also was named game MVP against Chicago, when he scored 2 touchdowns & caught for 118 yards in 7 catches.
During the playoffs he tied for the team lead scoring 3 touchdowns, having 14 catches and receiving for 149 yards. He was named Ironman of the Game in the first round of the playoffs against Indiana when he led the team with 99 yards in 9 catches and scoring 3 times.
on January 5, 2004.
On March 11, he was part of a midseason trade, moving from Georgia to the Indiana Firebirds
. Even though he only played 10 games with Indiana, he ranked third on the team in touchdowns (9), and fifth in yards (351) and receptions (29).
in 2005. He had an outstanding year on both offense and defense. He had 16.5 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and broke up one pass. On offense, he finished the season with 740 yards, 11 touchdowns and 71 receptions.
During the playoffs McCullough made a tackle and had 41 yards in 3 catches in the first rounds. In the Conference Championship game McCullough caught the game winning toughdown, catching 11 passes overall for 137 yards and four touchdowns. In the Divisional round, McCullough had 1 tackle, 2 touchdowns, 122 yards and 7 receptions.
During the 2006 playoffs McCullough had an outstanding game in the Divisional Round. He had 7 receptions for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. McCullough also had 2 tackles on defense.
on the first play from scrimmage against the New York Dragons
in week one. The Gladiators released him on March 18, 2008.
from the University of Tennessee.
A prep basketball and football star at Meadowdale H.S. in Dayton, he averaged 29 points to lead the state of Ohio in scoring and was named second team All-State as senior basketball player. McCullough didn’t begin playing football until his freshmen year of high school. He was Named Street and Smith All-American, all-state, all-area and all city as a senior linebacker. As a split end, he caught 35 passes for 595 yards and 10 TDs and defensively, registered 95 hits, including 10 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss as a senior. He was named city champion his senior year.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who played in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, NFL Europe
NFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
and Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
.
Early years
McCullough attended Meadowdale High SchoolMeadowdale High School (Ohio)
Meadowdale High School is part of Dayton City Schools. Located in Harrison Township, near Dayton, Ohio, USA, it serves approximately 1000 students. The school mascot is the lion. The theme for Meadowdale is Cultural Studies...
in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
, where he excelled in both football and basketball. Although he did not play a down of football until he began high school, McCullough was recruited by over 31 different colleges for football. He accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
.
College career
McCullough played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
, where he was a four-year letterman (1994–1997). During his career with the Volunteers he played in 44 games, totaling 59 catches for 903 yards (15.3 average) and eight touchdowns. During the 1997 season
1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team
The 1997 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Quarterback Peyton Manning had already completed his degree in three years, and had been projected to be the top overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, but returned...
he caught the last pass of Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
's college career.
As a true freshman, McCulough played in 8 games. He received for 45 yards in 4 catches. He also played a major role in the Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
win over Virginia Tech.
In his sophomore year, McCullough had 9 catches totaling 81 yards and a touchdown.
He finished out his Junior year fourth on the Tennessee team with a total of 32 yards receiving in 24 catches and 4 touchdowns.
In his final year, as a senior, Antwone finished with 42 yards and 3 touchdowns in 22 receptions. In the Orange Bowl that year, he caught a 29 yard pass, the teams longest reception.
1998
McCullough was drafted by the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft
1998 NFL Draft
The 1998 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 18-19, 1998...
. He was released in final cuts on August 30. Subsequently, McCullough spent time on the practice squads of the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(September 1–15) and Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
(September 23–October 7). The Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed him to their practice squad on November 19, where he remained for the rest of the season.
1999
The Cardinals re-signed McCullough from the practice squad on January 19, 1999 and allocated him to NFL EuropeNFL Europe
NFL Europe was an American football league which operated in Europe from 1991 until 2007. Backed by the National Football League , the largest professional American football league in the United States, it was founded as the World League of American Football to serve as a type of spring league...
where he played for the Frankfurt Galaxy
Frankfurt Galaxy
The Frankfurt Galaxy was a professional American football team that originally played in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. The team was based in Frankfurt, Germany and played in the Commerzbank-Arena, formerly called the Waldstadion.-History:In 1991, the...
.
McCullough had a standout season in Europe, recording 48 receptions (fourth in league) for 883 yards (second in league) and ten touchdowns (third in league). He also returned eight kickoffs for 158 yards and two punts for 46 yards. In a week six match-up with the Scottish Claymores
Scottish Claymores
The Scottish Claymores were an American football team from Scotland. The franchise played in the World League of American Football between 1995 and 2004, initially playing all home games at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh and latterly sharing home games with Hampden Park, Glasgow...
he caught a career-best eight receptions for 170 yards and three touchdowns.
McCullough earned World Bowl
World Bowl
The World Bowl was the American football Championship game of NFL Europe, similar to the Super Bowl of the National Football League.The World Bowl trophy itself was a globe made of glass measuring 35.5 cm in diameter and weighing 18.6 kg .-World League of American Football:When NFL Europe was...
MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
honors as the Galaxy captured the NFL Europe League championship
World Bowl VII
World Bowl '99 was NFL Europe's 1999 championship game. It was played in Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf, Germany on June 27, 1999. The match-up was between the 6-4 Frankfurt Galaxy and the 7-3 Barcelona Dragons...
. He caught six passes for 151 yards and scored three touchdowns in Frankfurt's 38–24 win over the Barcelona Dragons
Barcelona Dragons
The Barcelona Dragons were a team originally in the World League of American Football and later in the resurrected NFL Europe. Their home field in Barcelona was the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and later the Mini Estadi. The Dragons were successful on the field, making it...
.
Following the NFL Europe season, McCullough returned to Arizona. He played in two games for the Cardinals during the 1999 NFL season
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
, catching three passes for 45 yards.
2000
McCullough was released by the Arizona Cardinals during preseason on August 24, 2000. The Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
signed him to their practice squad on August 30. He was waived on September 19. During the 2000 NFL season
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
McCullough also spent time on the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
.
2001
In 2001, McCullough was signed by the Oakland RaidersOakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and allocated to the NFL Europe League where he played, again, for the Frankfurt Galaxy. He led the team in receptions with 41 (fourth in league) and recorded 460 yards and three touchdowns. The Raiders released him in final cuts on September 2.
2002
McCullough signed with the Dallas DesperadosDallas Desperados
The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008....
of the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
on January 22, 2002. He finished the season with 82 catches for 836 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. Following the season McCullough was selected to the AFL All-Rookie Team.
McCullough also played defense for Dallas, recording eight tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He was named game MVP twice in 2002. First against Detroit
Detroit Fury
The Detroit Fury were an Arena Football League team. The team began play in 2001 and was based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, at The Palace of Auburn Hills, also the home of the NBA's Detroit Pistons. The team was co-owned by William Davidson, who owned the Pistons, along with...
, where he scored career high totals in touchdowns (5), catches (14), and yards (152). The second, in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
where he led the team with a touchdown, 95 yards and 8 receptions. McCullough also set up the game winning touchdown by recovering a fumble in overtime.
2003
The Dallas DesperadosDallas Desperados
The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008....
finished the season ranked first in total offense, and fifth in scoring with the help of McCullough, who was one of a three part offensive attack. He experienced career highs in both receiving
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
with 96 catches, and total yards with 1,215. He tied his career high in touchdowns with 24. He was also had huge achievements on defense for the team racking up a career high in tackles with 22.5 and team and career highs in fumble recoveries with 3.
McCullough was named Ironmade of the Game twice that season. The first time against Arizona, where he forced numerous incompletions and racked up 128 yards on offense. The second time was against Detroit, where he scored, had 64 yards and posted an interception.
McCullough received yet another game MVP with his performance in Los Angeles when he experienced the first two interceptions of his career.
McCullough also was named game MVP against Chicago, when he scored 2 touchdowns & caught for 118 yards in 7 catches.
During the playoffs he tied for the team lead scoring 3 touchdowns, having 14 catches and receiving for 149 yards. He was named Ironman of the Game in the first round of the playoffs against Indiana when he led the team with 99 yards in 9 catches and scoring 3 times.
2004
McCullough was signed by the Georgia ForceGeorgia Force
The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings...
on January 5, 2004.
On March 11, he was part of a midseason trade, moving from Georgia to the Indiana Firebirds
Indiana Firebirds
The Indiana Firebirds were a team in the Arena Football League.The team was based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Home games were played at the Conseco Fieldhouse, also the home of the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association and Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball...
. Even though he only played 10 games with Indiana, he ranked third on the team in touchdowns (9), and fifth in yards (351) and receptions (29).
2005
McCullough was signed with the Colorado CrushColorado Crush
Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009...
in 2005. He had an outstanding year on both offense and defense. He had 16.5 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, and broke up one pass. On offense, he finished the season with 740 yards, 11 touchdowns and 71 receptions.
During the playoffs McCullough made a tackle and had 41 yards in 3 catches in the first rounds. In the Conference Championship game McCullough caught the game winning toughdown, catching 11 passes overall for 137 yards and four touchdowns. In the Divisional round, McCullough had 1 tackle, 2 touchdowns, 122 yards and 7 receptions.
2006
In 2006 and 2007 McCullough ranked up his best numbers as a player on the Colorado Crush. In 2006, defensively, he had 19.5 tackles, a forced fumble, and one interception. He also racked up 1,093 yards and 14 touchdowns in 92 catches. In a game in Los Angeles, McCullough added a season high with four tackles before he was hauled out of the game on a stretcher in the fourth quarter. He was taken to an area hospital were he was diagnosed with a neck injury, a concussion, and four broken molars. McCullough was named Defensive Player of the Game this year in the contest against Nashville.During the 2006 playoffs McCullough had an outstanding game in the Divisional Round. He had 7 receptions for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. McCullough also had 2 tackles on defense.
2008
McCullough signed with the Cleveland Gladiators on February 26, 2008. He started the first three games of the season, catching 14 passes for 156 yards and scoring a touchdown on a 37-yard pass from quarterback Raymond PhilyawRaymond Philyaw
Raymond Philyaw is an arena football quarterback who currently plays for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in the Arena Football League league...
on the first play from scrimmage against the New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
in week one. The Gladiators released him on March 18, 2008.
Personal
McCullough earned a bachelor’s degree in psychologyPsychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
from the University of Tennessee.
A prep basketball and football star at Meadowdale H.S. in Dayton, he averaged 29 points to lead the state of Ohio in scoring and was named second team All-State as senior basketball player. McCullough didn’t begin playing football until his freshmen year of high school. He was Named Street and Smith All-American, all-state, all-area and all city as a senior linebacker. As a split end, he caught 35 passes for 595 yards and 10 TDs and defensively, registered 95 hits, including 10 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss as a senior. He was named city champion his senior year.